Educational Tour through Pakistan - Part 1

Learning together to strengthen neonatal care

Today marked the beginning of an inspiring educational tour through Pakistan. I had the privilege of visiting the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology, where I received a very warm welcome from Dr. Rehan, Dr. Raza, and their dedicated multidisciplinary team.

I was invited by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare to join them for a week of education focused on neonatal resuscitation and non-invasive respiratory support, including the use of Neopuff, CPAP, and high-flow nasal therapy. The teaching sessions for this first day took place at the IQRA – Integrated Quality Research & Training Academy at the headquarter of Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology, an excellent setting that fostered interactive learning and open discussion.

Optimizing care in the delivery room

We began with in-depth discussions on neonatal resuscitation, with a strong focus on optimizing respiratory support in the delivery room. Together, we explored practical, evidence-based approaches to support newborns during the critical first minutes after birth and how early respiratory management can influence short- and long-term outcomes.

This was followed by focused talks on:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

• High-flow nasal therapy

• Non-invasive respiratory support strategies in different clinical scenarios

Hands-on workshops and shared experience

The day then transitioned into a highly engaging, hands-on workshop. In small groups, we discussed and practiced the use of Neopuff, CPAP, and high-flow systems, while also addressing broader aspects of neonatal respiratory care, including:

• Mechanical ventilation principles

• Oxygen therapy and titration

• Surfactant administration

• Integrating respiratory support across the continuum of neonatal care

The level of engagement, thoughtful questions, and shared experiences from participants made these sessions particularly rewarding. Education works best when it is interactive and grounded in real-world clinical challenges—and this was a perfect example of that.

Visiting the clinical environment

Following the teaching sessions, we visited one of the affiliated hospitals for a comprehensive tour. This included the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the pediatric emergency room, and other key clinical areas. Seeing care delivered firsthand provided valuable context and led to rich discussions around workflow, resource utilization, and how best practices in resuscitation and respiratory support can be implemented consistently across different hospital settings.

Looking ahead

This first day set a wonderful tone for the week ahead. I am deeply grateful for the hospitality of the teams at Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology and IQRA, and for the opportunity to learn together, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaborations—all with the shared goal of improving outcomes for newborn infants.

More reflections and experiences from Pakistan will follow soon—stay tuned for Part 2.