NIHR Global Health Unit includes 9 workstreams, with a diverse range of studies conducted in 8 countries
Workstreams and Leads
To adapt and finalize a co-produced intervention to improve immediate care in facilities and postnatal support after stillbirth or early neonatal death for women and families in India and Pakistan and assess the feasibility of a full-scale evaluation to assess effectiveness.
Pakistan is involved in:
- Work Stream 5 Parental Involvement
(India, Pakistan, Tanzania) - Work Stream 6 Bereavement care
(Kenya, Uganda, India, Pakistan) - Work Stream 9 Core Outcome sets
Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI)
CEI group role in care of sick neonates, stillbirths and neonatal deaths
Community engagement and involvement groups have been developed as part of the SABAR project. In order to adapt the study to the needs of the community, a CEI Group is formed for each research project. Prior to introducing the research components to the participants, we are speaking with the CEI groups, which are made up of people who have personally dealt with the care of sick newborns, stillbirths, and infant deaths. Furthermore, these groups actively contribute to the program’s development for grief care and the care of ill newborns.
CEI Activities
CEI Activities in Pakistan
Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI) meeting with CEI members of SABAR project that aims to develop a multi-component intervention to improve care and support for parents after stillbirth or neonatal death in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This was led by Mrs Faryal Sultan (CEI lead). The meeting was also attended by Dr. Tracey A. Mills (Chief Investigator), Dr Natalie Tate (Research Team), Prof Nasim Chaudhry (Principle Investigator) and Pakistan SABAR team on 12 December 2022.
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CEI Study Workshop in Zimbabwe
CEI Study Workshop – March 25-Experiences of the CEI members and Researchers working together during Global Health Research on Stillbirth Prevention and Bereavement Care: A grounded theory study in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
Community engagement and involvement qualitative study launch – 6 and 7 March 2025, Zimbabwe
CEI Study launch was held at the Bronte Hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe, bringing together participants from eight countries. The event featured country-specific presentations, where CEI representatives shared their insights and experiences.
Faryal Sultan, CEI Lead from PILL, delivered a presentation titled “The CEI Journey from Pakistan.”
Dr. Kushupika Dube the study’s Principal investigator, and Amie Wilson, introduced the CEI Study. This research focuses on the collaboration between CEI members and researchers in stillbirth prevention and management in sub Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Awareness Session on “Folic Acid & Pregnancy”
On 25th January in the community of Saain Rakhio Goth Gadap, Karachi, an enlightening awareness session on “Folic Acid and Pregnancy ” was held. Information brochures were given out to the participants. Ms. Zaib Un Nisa, Ms. Faryal Sultan, and community worker heightened awareness about importance of folic acid before and during pregnancy, future conception and healthy pregnancy.
Awareness Event at the Gyne Ward
On January 24, 2025, the Pill Team, led by Miss Faster Gill and Miss Prah Mansoor, along with Dr. Shazia Rani and staff, organized an awareness event at the Gyne Ward and Gyne OPD. The event aimed to educate mothers and their attendants about the importance of folic acid during pregnancy. Folic acid is crucial before, during, and after pregnancy to prevent birth defects and ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Presentation on CEI – Zaib un Nisa
Ms Zaib un Nisa, Research Associate, presented an oral presentation on “Development of a multicomponent bereavement support programme for Pakistan – Lessons learned from consensus session” at the 2nd International Psychosocial & Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference held at the Marriott Hotel.”
Presentation on CEI – Faryal Sultan
Ms Faryal Sultan, Service User Researcher, presented an oral presentation on ‘ Community Engagement & Involvement in the development of Bereavement Support Program’ at the 2nd International Psychosocial & Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference held at the Marriott Hotel.”
PILL Quetta Raises Awareness on Pregnancy and Infant Loss
PILL Quetta conducted an informative awareness session on “Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance” at the Gynae Department of Bolan Medical Complex Hospital on October 5, 2024. The session had two segments: group and one-on-one. The core focus of the session was on mothers’ mental health, healthy pregnancy, pregnancy and infant loss, and the supportive role of family members in helping mothers through difficult times.
Supporting Families Through Loss: Dr. Shazia Rani Leads Awareness Session
With the assistance of Dr. Shazia Rani, an informative awareness session on “Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance” was conducted at the Gynae OPD on 23-October-24.Dr. Shazia Rani talked about future conception, moms’ mental health, good pregnancy, and pregnancy and infant loss. Ms. Simra Yaseen and Ms. Faster Gill distributed information brochure to the attendees.
Supporting Families in Pakistan: Zaib un Nisa Presents Bereavement Program at Glow Conference
Zaib un Nisa, a Research Associate at the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning, presented a poster titled “Development of a Multicomponent Bereavement Program: Supporting Families Experiencing Stillbirth and/or Neonatal Death in Pakistan” online at the “Glow Conference – Rising to the Challenge: Women and Newborn Health in the Context of Global Crises,” held on 23 and 24 September in Edinburgh.
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance ‘ Community Awareness Session”
In the community of New Karachi, an enlightening awareness session on “Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance” was held. Information brochures were given out to the participants. Ms. Zaib Un Nisa, Ms. Faryal Sultan, and members of CEI heightened awareness about various facets of pregnancy and infant loss, future conception, mothers’ mental well-being, and healthy pregnancy.
Archive News
World breastfeeding Month August 2024
1st August to 7th August 2024
1st International Nursing Conference in Karachi, July 2024
The 1st International Nursing Conference on Maternal and Child Health was jointly organized by PILL, Iqra University Nursing Institute. 26th July, 2024
Seminar on Transforming Maternal and Neonatal Health, Karachi July 2024
On July 25, 2024, PILL and Ziauddin University & Hospital jointly organized a seminar on Transforming Maternal and Neonatal Health: Best Practices and Innovations.
Work Stream 5 in Karachi, July 2024
WS 5 (Enhancing parental involvement in the care of sick neonates in Pakistan) CEI Meetings about the Parent Information Guide/Booklet were conducted in July, 2024
Work Stream 5 in Hyderabad, July 2024
WS 5 (Enhancing parental involvement in the care of sick neonates in Pakistan) On July 24, 2024, in the Indus Hotel Hyderabad, Prof. Dame Tina Lavender and Dr. Tracey A. Mills conducted intervention training.
Work Stream 5 in Karachi, July 2024
WS 5 (Enhancing parental involvement in the care of sick neonates in Pakistan) CEI Meeting with Prof. Dame Tina Lavender and Dr. Tracey A. Mills was conducted on 23rd July, 2024
World population day, July 2024
PILL celebrated the World Population Day, 2024
CEI Meetings in Karachi, November 2023
CEI meetings (mothers & fathers group) on intervention development
WS 5 Consensus Meetings in Hyderabad, November 2023
WS 5 Consensus Meetings of intervention development was held on 4th and 21st November
World Infant Loss & Remembrance day, Community based event, Karachi, October 2023
As part of annual awareness day on “Pregnancy and Infant loss remembrance” CEI mothers event was organized on 26 October 2023.
We presented a role play scenario on challenges of a mother following stillbirth.
Awareness material was distributed.
Hyderabad, October 2023
Work Steam 6
Peer Support Intervention Training:
Intervention trainings was delivered to 6 CEI group mothers in September & October 2023.
Role play sessions and weekly meeting was conducted as part of training.
Weekly supervisions with the peer supporters is also ongoing
Hyderabad, September 2023
Bereavement Champion Intervention
Bereavement champions training was conducted with 15 champions on 12 September 2023
Monthly meetings with Champions and following suggestions was incorporated:
Information leaflet was developed for awareness
Champions intervention record form was developed
Hyderabad August, 2023
Ms Subia Naz, Ms Zaib un Nisa and Dr Tayyeba Kiran successfully trained the 1st group of Health professionals in the Advance Breavement Care (ABC) workshop with the facilitation of Pill Hyderabad team at Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Liaquat University of Medical Health Sciences (LUMHS) Hyderabad on 1st August 2023.
Certification
Service User, Ms. Faryal Sultan’s poster on “Community Engagement and Involvement for Development of bereavement support program: Lessons Learned” was awarded 3rd Position at the conference.
Learning & sharing event, Tanzania
Country leads Prof. Nasim Chaudhary expressions on progress of early carer researchers on different work streams Learning & Sharing Event, Tanzania
Learning & sharing event, Tanzania
CEI Panel discussion in Learning & Sharing Event, Tanzania
Learning & sharing event, Tanzania
Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL) team present the Poster in Learning & Sharing Event, Tanzania
Work Steam 6
(Development and feasibility of multi component intervention to improve bereavement support in India and Pakistan)
Poster presentation from PILL team in Learning & Sharing Event, Tanzania
Work Steam 5
(Enhancing parental involvement in the care of sick neonates in Pakistan) Poster presentation from PILL team in Learning & Sharing Event, Tanzania
Learning & sharing event, Tanzania June, 2023
The Learning and Sharing Event Conference was held in Tanzania to enhance the skills of early career researchers and facilitate cross-cultural knowledge exchange
Learning & Sharing Event, July 2023
Learning & Sharing event 2023, Dar Es Salaam Tanzania
Hyderabad January, 2023
WS 6 (Development and feasibility of multi component intervention to improve bereavement support in India and Pakistan)
Intervention Training was conducted by Prof. Nasim Chaudhary, Ms. Zaib Un Nisa & Ms. Sobia Naz in Indus Hotel, Hyderabad
Karachi January, 2023
WS 6 (Development and feasibility of multi component intervention to improve bereavement support in India and Pakistan)
Pre-intervention training of PEER SUPPORTERS was conducted by Dr. Tayyeba Kiran & Ms. Zain Un Nisa in Remedial Hospital, Karachi
Work Steam 6
- ABC training for health professionals conducted in 2 batches and completed pre and post assessments.
- In first batch 12 health professionals trained
- In second batch 18 health professionals trained
Hyderabad January, 2023
WS 6 (Development and feasibility of multi component intervention to improve bereavement support in India and Pakistan)
Pre-intervention training of CHAMPIONS was conducted by Ms. Zaib Un Nisa & Ms. Sobia Naz in Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (Civil Hospital) Hyderabad
Work Steam 6
WS 6: Research team attended intervention training sessions:
ABC training
Bereavement champions training
Peer support training
Khamosh Goth January, 2023
Folic Acid & Birth Defects
The awareness based session conducted in the community (Khamosh Goth) on folic acid and prevention of birth defects. the culturally relevant content has been translated and shared among participants
Karachi December, 2022
CEI Meeting with NIHR Team
Introduction of CEI members to PIs and Research Team (Tracey A. Mill, Professor Nasim Chaudhry and Natalie Tate)
Participants shared their lived experiences and involvement in the SABAR project.
Karachi December, 2022
Qualitative research method and observation method in research training
Dr. Tracey Mills & Dr. Natalie Tate facilitate the training session on 15 December 2022, at the PILL office for the capacity and capability of the research team.
Hyderabad December, 2022
Consensus meeting
Dr. Tracey Mills, Dr. Natalie Tate & Dr. Tayyeba Kiran conducted the consensus meeting for the development of the bereavement care program with the stakeholders including gynecologists, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, researchers and policymakers at Indus Hotel Hyderabad on 14 December 2022.
Karachi October, 2022
World Infant Loss & Remembrance day, 2022 DOW hospital ojha, Karachi
On World Infant Loss & Remembrance Day, the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning held an awareness-raising event at Dow Hospital in Karachi, October 2022
Hyderabad August, 2022
World Infant Loss & Remembrance day, 2022 community based event, Hyderabad
The Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning hosted an awareness-raising event in a community setting in Hyderabad on World Infant Loss & Remembrance Day, August 2022
Malawi August, 2022
CEI & Safeguarding Leads Training in Lilongwe (Malawi)
2 Days training of CEI Leads were held in Lilongwe, Malawi, August 2022
Sharjah July, 2022
Training conducted in Sharjah- UAE on designing program for prevention and management of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
Nairobi June, 2022
Meeting with team members from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine for Research Initiative