The Aga Khan Maternal and Child Care Centre (AKMCCC) in Hyderabad has launched a cutting-edge Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), providing advanced care for newborns closer to their homes. Families in Hyderabad and surrounding districts will no longer have to travel to Karachi or other urban centers for specialized infant care.
Pakistan has one of the planet”s highest newborn mortality rates, with over 246,000 infant deaths annually due to preventable issues, equivalent to 675 babies daily within their first month (WHO, 2025). Limited access to advanced neonatal services outside major cities contributes significantly to this devastating statistic. AKMCCC”s new NICU aims to address this shortfall, ensuring timely, life-saving interventions for families in the region without the hardship and expense of long journeys.
The facility is equipped with sophisticated technology, including specialized oxygen support, to assist newborns with respiratory difficulties. It also offers essential treatments and procedures for critically ill infants. Providing this level of care in Hyderabad will reduce delays, alleviate family burdens, and maximize the survival chances of vulnerable newborns.
Hyderabad Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro, the chief guest at the inauguration, stated, ‘This new NICU offers a beacon of hope to numerous families. It will preserve lives and make crucial care more accessible for the people of Hyderabad and neighboring areas.’
Dr. Farhat Abbas, CEO of AKU Health Services, Pakistan, emphasized, ‘Many newborns in Pakistan succumb to preventable problems simply due to the unavailability of specialized care near their birthplace. This NICU will ensure that premature and critically ill babies in Hyderabad and surrounding areas receive the same high-quality, life-saving interventions available in major cities.’
Since joining the Aga Khan University Hospital network in 2010, AKMCCC has built a reputation as a reliable provider of women’s and children’s health services. Holding the highest international patient safety and quality accreditation, SafeCare Level 5, the center continues to prioritize neonatal care advancements with this new NICU.
Dr. Mairaj Shah, COO of AKU Off-Campus Hospitals, remarked, ‘AKMCCC’s new NICU is a significant step in providing specialized neonatal care closer to families in Hyderabad. We aim to deliver timely, high-quality interventions while solidifying AKMCCC’s role as a premier center for women and children in the area.’
Civic leaders, representatives from the Sindh Healthcare Commission, and Aga Khan University Hospital leadership and physicians attended the inauguration, highlighting the shared commitment to improving maternal and child health services regionally.