Educational Tour through Pakistan – Part 3

Grand Rounds, global trials, and closing the Karachi chapter

Part 3 of the educational tour brought us to Aga Khan University Hospital, where the program was expertly organized and hosted by Dr. Ali Hussain and Dr. Waqar Khowaja. It was particularly meaningful to reconnect with Dr. Ali Hussain, a former neonatal fellow who trained in Edmonton, underscoring the strength of long-standing international training links and collaborations.

Weekly Grand Rounds: from evidence to global collaboration

The visit began with the weekly Grand Rounds at Aga Khan University Hospital—an excellent forum for discussion, reflection, and academic exchange. During this session, I presented the background and rationale for the SURV1VE-2 Trial, including an overview of the SURV1VE program and why this international trial is critically important for advancing evidence in neonatal resuscitation.

Aga Khan University’s NICU will be participating in the SURV1VE-2 trial, making this discussion particularly meaningful. We explored the scientific rationale, trial design, and the importance of global collaboration to answer clinically relevant questions that cannot be addressed by single-country studies alone. The engagement and questions from the audience highlighted a strong shared commitment to high-quality research and evidence-based practice.

Case-based learning and non-invasive respiratory support

Following Grand Rounds, we transitioned into a case-based discussion and workshop focused on non-invasive respiratory support. Using real-world clinical scenarios, we discussed practical aspects of CPAP and high-flow nasal therapy, decision-making at the bedside, and how to individualize respiratory support based on the infant’s condition and available resources.

These interactive sessions provided an ideal way to translate evidence into practice and brought together clinicians with diverse experiences, fostering rich and thoughtful dialogue.

Closing Karachi, looking ahead to Lahore

This session at Aga Khan University Hospital concluded our time in Karachi and marked a strong finish to an intensive and rewarding series of educational activities across multiple institutions. I am deeply grateful to the hosts and teams for their hospitality, engagement, and commitment to improving neonatal care.

The educational tour will continue on Thursday in Lahore, where the next chapter of learning, collaboration, and exchange will unfold.