KARACHI: The Sindh Health Department, the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), and Aga Khan University (AKU) have entered into a collaborative agreement to establish a National AI Hub aimed at enhancing maternal, newborn, and child health through artificial intelligence in the public health system. The initiative, backed by the Gates Foundation, seeks to integrate AI technologies into the frontline care of women and children to improve health outcomes.

According to Aga Khan University, the agreement was formalized on September 2, 2026, at the office of Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho. The three-year Letter of Collaboration was signed by Health Secretary Tahir Hussain, Dr. Maryam Mustafa from LUMS, and Dr. Karim Damji from AKU. The initiative is supported by a multi-year grant from the Gates Foundation, with Dr. Anita Zaidi of the Foundation present during the signing. The partnership will develop AI-driven tools such as risk-stratification models and voice-assisted systems for healthcare providers.

Dr. Azra Pechuho emphasized targeting primary health facilities to reduce prematurity rates and improve paramedical services. The AI Hub results from extensive collaboration among computer scientists, clinical epidemiologists, and human-centered design experts. AKU's Dr. Fyezah Jehan provides clinical leadership, ensuring AI models are based on high-quality data from real-world healthcare settings.

LUMS' Dr. Maryam Mustafa highlighted the project's focus on localized speech recognition technologies to facilitate AI tool interaction in low-literacy environments. The collaboration places strategic oversight with Sindh's Health Department, technical development with LUMS, and clinical guidance with AKU, adhering to national regulations and ethical standards.