Aga Khan University launches free pediatrics manual to strengthen child healthcare

KARACHI: In a move that could make quality pediatric care more accessible across Pakistan, The Aga Khan University (AKU) has launched a free digital pediatrics manual designed to help doctors diagnose and manage common childhood illnesses using evidence-based clinical guidance tailored to Pakistan's healthcare needs.

The new resource brings together 88 clinical practice guidelines across 14 pediatric subspecialties, giving pediatricians, family physicians, medical officers, residents and other healthcare professionals quick access to practical recommendations they can use while caring for children.

Developed by clinicians for clinicians, the manual has been created through a collaboration between AKU's Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Centre for Clinical Best Practices. It is available free of cost through the University's website and a dedicated mobile application, making trusted clinical guidance accessible wherever healthcare professionals need it.

Helping doctors deliver more consistent care

Whether a child is treated in a major hospital or a smaller healthcare facility, doctors often need reliable clinical guidance that is both evidence-based and relevant to local healthcare realities.

Recognizing this need, AKU developed the manual to serve as a practical bedside reference, helping healthcare professionals make informed clinical decisions while promoting more consistent and standardized child healthcare across Pakistan.

Unlike many international references, the guidance has been developed with Pakistan's healthcare system in mind, ensuring global scientific evidence is adapted to local clinical practice.

Federal health minister welcomes the initiative

The manual was officially launched during a ceremony attended by Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal as the chief guest.

Appreciating the University's contribution to Pakistan's healthcare system, he said:

"Strengthening Pakistan's health care system requires practical, actionable, evidence-based solutions that support our health care professionals. The AKU Manual of Pediatrics is an important step towards improving the quality and consistency of child health care, and I commend Aga Khan University on this valuable contribution."

His remarks highlighted the growing importance of equipping healthcare professionals with trusted clinical resources that support better decision-making and improve patient care.

Bringing together healthcare leaders

The launch ceremony was attended by representatives from government institutions, academia, professional organizations and the wider healthcare community.

Participants included representatives of the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Armed Forces Postgraduate Medical Institute (AFPGMI) and the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN), alongside pediatric experts and healthcare professionals from across the country.

The event also featured keynote addresses and a panel discussion exploring how locally developed clinical guidelines can improve pediatric practice and contribute to better health outcomes for children.

Putting reliable knowledge into clinicians' hands

Speaking at the launch, AKU President Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin said the manual reflects the University's broader commitment to improving healthcare by making reliable medical knowledge more accessible to those caring for children.

"AKU Manual of Pediatrics reflects a deeper purpose: to place reliable knowledge in the hands of those who care for children. When clinical decisions are guided by evidence, informed by global science, and rooted in local realities, we move closer to a health system in which every child has a fairer chance at life and health."

His remarks emphasized that improving child healthcare is not only about new technologies or facilities but also about ensuring healthcare professionals have access to trusted, evidence-based information when making clinical decisions.

Why local guidance matters

For Prof. Dr. Fyezah Jehan, Chair of AKU's Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, one of the manual's greatest strengths is its focus on Pakistan's healthcare realities.

She said:

"Science is universal, but practice is always local. When evidence generated elsewhere needs to be applied in Pakistan, it needs to be understood, adapted and trusted. Our manual is a step towards bridging that gap."

Her comments reflect an important challenge faced by many healthcare professionals—translating international medical evidence into practical care that works within local health systems and available resources.

Edited by one of AKU's leading medical experts

The manual has been developed by AKU's Centre for Clinical Best Practices in collaboration with the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, with Dr. Adil H. Haider, former Dean of AKU Medical College, serving as its Editor-in-Chief.

Designed as a bedside-ready, point-of-care resource, it offers practical guidance across multiple pediatric specialties, enabling clinicians to access trusted recommendations quickly during patient care.

A free resource with the potential for lasting impact

By making the manual freely available through both its website and mobile application, AKU hopes to support healthcare professionals across Pakistan regardless of where they practice.

With 88 evidence-based clinical guidelines, coverage of 14 pediatric subspecialties, and recommendations adapted to Pakistan's healthcare environment, the initiative has the potential to strengthen pediatric practice, support continuous medical education and contribute to better healthcare outcomes for children.

For doctors and clinicians, it offers a trusted clinical companion. For parents, it represents another step towards improving the quality and consistency of care their children receive. And for Pakistan's healthcare system, it demonstrates how locally developed, evidence-based resources can help build stronger, more informed clinical practice.

The free of cost can be downloaded here: DOWNLOAD THE MANUAL

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