<p>The Early Childhood Development, Parenting Readiness and Education Programme (ECD PREP) at the Aga Khan University Hospital has been helping parents and families give their children the best possible start in life. Launched in 2020 as one of the pioneering initiatives, the programme marked its five-year milestone this year and continues to grow as an important resource for families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.</p><p>The programme has grown into a pragmatic, scalable effort that strengthens responsive caregiving and connects maternal–newborn care with early childhood development in the healthcare landscape. Highlighting the programme's vision, Dr Farhat Abbas, CEO, AKUH Health System, Pakistan, remarked, “This work represents AKUH's commitment to supporting families and communities with approaches grounded in evidence and compassion."</p><p>Over the past five years, ECD PREP has engaged more than 15,000 parents and caregivers through its clinical and community-based activities, helping families build confidence in early caregiving. Its strong integration with obstetric and newborn services remains a defining feature. As Dr Lumaan Sheikh, Chair OBGYN, noted, “Integrating ECD within maternal and newborn care strengthens how families are supported from the very beginning."</p><p>The programme has also contributed to the professional development of nurses, healthcare providers, and educators. More than 300 nurses and healthcare professionals have participated in ECD-focused training. In partnership with AKU LEADS and Nursing Education Services, over 10 specialised courses have helped prepare more than 700 early childhood educators. These trained professionals now play an important role in supporting families in clinics, hospitals, and community settings. </p><p>Reflecting on this impact, Dr Karim Damji, Dean, AKU Medical College, shared, “ECD PREP brings science, systems, perspectives, and empathy together in a way that helps shape better futures."
</p><p>Research pathways, partnerships, and community outreach have continued to guide the programme's evolution, supported by extramural grants exceeding USD 250,000. Summarising the vision, Dr Shelina Bhamani, Lead ECD PREP and Outreach Education, stated, “Our aim is to help parents feel supported and capable, because when caregivers thrive, children do too."</p><p>The first five years of ECD PREP highlight how strong teamwork, family-centred care, and practical learning can make a real difference in a child's early development. This progress has been made possible with the support of Nursing Education Services, the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, our programme partners, funding agencies, and a dedicated team working passionately to bring early childhood development into everyday healthcare.</p><p>For families and expectant parents, ECD PREP serves as a trusted source of support, helping them feel confident, informed, and ready to give children a healthy, nurturing start.
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