HYDERABAD: The Aga Khan Maternal and Child Care Centre (AKMCCC), Hyderabad, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), providing advanced medical care for newborns closer to home.
Pakistan has one of the world’s highest neonatal mortality rates. According to the World Health Organization, over 246,000 newborns die each year in the country due to preventable complications — averaging 675 infant deaths every day within their first month of life. Experts say that a major factor is the lack of advanced neonatal facilities outside big cities.
The new NICU at AKMCCC aims to address this challenge by offering modern oxygen therapies for babies with severe respiratory distress, along with critical medical procedures and treatments. Officials said the facility will reduce delays in treatment, ease the burden on parents, and give premature and critically ill babies the best possible chance at survival.
Hyderabad Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro, speaking at the inauguration, called the NICU “a ray of hope for countless families,” noting that it will save lives and bring life-saving care closer to the people of Hyderabad and surrounding districts.
Dr. Farhat Abbas, Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan University Health Services, Pakistan, emphasized that many newborns die in Pakistan simply because specialized care is unavailable near their place of birth. “This NICU will ensure that premature and critically ill babies in Hyderabad and nearby areas receive the same high-quality care available in bigger cities,” he said.
AKMCCC, which became part of the Aga Khan University Hospital network in 2010, has built a strong reputation for women and children’s healthcare. The Centre also holds a SafeCare Level 5 certification — the highest international award for patient safety and quality.
Dr. Miraj Shah, Chief Operating Officer of Aga Khan University Off-Campus Hospitals, said the new NICU is a major step toward strengthening neonatal care in Hyderabad. “Our goal is to provide timely, high-quality care and make this centre a hub of excellence for women and children,” he added.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by community leaders, senior officials of the Sindh Healthcare Commission, and doctors and leaders from Aga Khan University Hospital, reflecting a shared commitment to improving maternal and child health services in the region.
