
CHAMPS Pakistan
About Our Work
In Pakistan, CHAMPS operates in Karachi to address the country’s alarming under-5 mortality rate in three low-income catchment areas in Ali Akbar Shah Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi Extension, and Bhains Colony. Since 2022, we have focused on identifying child mortality causes through comprehensive surveillance. Collaborating with Aga Khan University Hospital and the University of Texas, Southwestern, we engage communities during the formative research phase and collect data on under-five deaths and stillbirths in the subsequent phase. Insights are shared with families, communities, and stakeholders while contributing to a global repository. By transforming data into action, we help develop pediatric health interventions that enhance access to child healthcare, saving children’s lives and advancing child survival efforts.
Our Impact
CHAMPS is improving child health outcomes in Karachi’s vulnerable communities—Ali Akbar Shah Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi, and Bhains Colony—reaching 261,000 people. Through data-driven strategies and local partnerships, we monitor 38,000 children every three months, driving impactful change for a healthier future.

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Population Under Surveillance

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Under-5 Mortality Rate

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Neonatal Mortality Rate

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Maternal Mortality Rate

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Maternal Mortality Rate
Data updated: 2024
Meet our Directors
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Meet our Directors

Dr. Omer has conducted studies in the United States, Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Australia. Dr. Omer’s research portfolio includes epidemiology of respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV, and – more recently – COVID-19; clinical trials to estimate the efficacy of maternal and/or infant influenza, pertussis, polio, measles, and pneumococcal vaccines; and trials to evaluate drug regimens to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Moreover, he has conducted several studies on interventions to increase immunization coverage and acceptance. Dr. Omer’s work has been cited in global and country-specific policy recommendations and has informed clinical practice and health legislation in several countries. He has directly mentored over 100 junior faculty, clinical and research post-doctoral fellows, PhD and other graduate students. Dr. Omer has published widely in peer-reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Lancet, British Medical Journal, Pediatrics, American Journal of Public Health, Science, and Nature.
Dr. Omer was elected to the National Academy of Medicine and has received multiple awards – including the Maurice Hilleman Award by the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases for his work on the impact of maternal influenza immunization on respiratory illness in infants younger than 6 months- for whom there is no vaccine. He has served on the boards of trustees of Gavi the Vaccine Alliance and Sabin Vaccine Institute and advisory panels including the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Vaccines.

Dr Abdul Momin Kazi is the site director and co-PI on the CHAMPS Pakistan site. Dr Momin is an assistant professor at the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan. He is a PhD candidate with the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and has an MBBS degree from Dow Medical College, Pakistan.
Dr Momin was an AITRP Trainee (Fogarty fellow) from 2005 to 2006. His research interests include geospatial analysis, surveillance on vaccine preventable diseases, childhood routine immunization and digital health.

Key Partners
CHAMPS Working in Pakistan to Save Lives
Leading the way since 2015, CHAMPS has uncovered the causes of child mortality in high-burden regions, generating essential data to drive lifesaving actions. Explore our News and Stories to see how we’re saving young lives.
