SPIRESPIRE-CHILD Buner Initiative
The SPIRE-CHILD Buner Initiative strengthens pediatric emergency care, community empowerment, and humanitarian outreach across Buner district. In collaboration with DUA Foundation and PROSPER-UK, SPIRE is training healthcare professionals, supporting vulnerable families, and establishing sustainable community structures that uplift children and families in underserved regions.
Project Overview
The SPIRE-CHILD Buner Initiative focuses on improving neonatal and pediatric emergency care, uplifting vulnerable communities, and supporting the construction of Buner Homes for families in need.
During the recent field visit, SPIRE leadership met with on-ground teams, reviewed progress at construction sites, and observed pediatric emergency training sessions conducted at DHQ Buner.
Over ten Buner Homes are currently under construction, and more than 50 medical professionals have been trained in ECP-Neo (Emergency Care Pediatrics – Neonatal version) through SPIRE’s collaboration with PROSPER-UK and DUA Foundation.
This project represents SPIRE’s commitment to empowering communities through education, healthcare strengthening, and sustainable social action.
Why This Project Matters
Gap in Pediatric Care
Buner district faces gaps in pediatric emergency care and neonatal stabilization.
Improvement in Child Survival
Training healthcare workers directly improves child survival rates.
Impact Multiplication
Collaboration between SPIRE, PROSPER-UK, and DUA Foundation multiplies impact.
Flood Effectees Help
Buner Homes Project supports vulnerable families and children in need.
Community Empowerment
Strengthening local systems ensures long-term community empowerment.
Implementation & Impact
On-Ground Team Deployment
SPIRE assigned a full-time Project Coordinator and Research Assistant stationed at AIMS Sugar Hospital to ensure smooth execution.
Database Development
A complete audit of existing hospital records is underway, followed by the creation of standardized, research-ready databases for child, maternal, and community health indicators.
Streamlined Data Acquisition
SPIRE is introducing new workflows and digital data collection protocols to ensure accuracy, consistency, and long-term utility.
Community Outreach
The SPIRE team participated in a major outreach medical camp in Tehkal, Peshawar, providing frontline support and gathering community health insights.
International Collaboration
The collaboration is strengthened through SPIRE’s MOU with PROSPER-UK, enabling global mentoring, quality assurance, and technical support.
Team SPIRE–Buner
Left to Right in Group Photo
- Mr. Qaisar – Finance Dept., DUA Foundation
- Dr. Azam – Head of Pediatrics, DHQ Buner & SPIRE-CHILD Buner Lead
- Dr. Afshan H. Khattak – Director SPIRE
- Mr. Nauman – DUA Foundation, Buner Homes Project
- Mr. Yasir – SPIRE Coordinator
- Mr. Sohail – SPIRE Assistant
- Mr. Sher Nabi – DUA Foundation, Buner Homes Project
These individuals are the driving force behind the success of the SPIRE-CHILD and SPIRE-DUA initiatives in Buner.
Training Leadership
The first segment highlights Dr. Adam Jan (Project Lead, SPIRE–PROSPER UK Collaboration) and Dr. Azam Khan (Project Lead, SPIRE-CHILD Buner Chapter) as they conduct hands-on neonatal emergency care training for nurses, LHVs, and paramedics at DHQ Buner.
Their joint expertise ensures that frontline health workers receive internationally aligned, practical skills vital for saving newborn lives.
Large Training Cohort
Over 50 nurses, LHVs, and paramedics successfully completed ECP-Neo training under SPIRE's collaboration with PROSPER-UK and SPIRE-CHILD.
The sessions focused on:
- Neonatal resuscitation
- Emergency stabilization
- Safe referral protocols
- Practical simulation-based training
This marks one of the largest neonatal emergency care training sessions conducted in the district.
Hands-On Training by SPIRE Leadership
Dr. Afshan Khattak, Director SPIRE, led detailed instruction sessions on newborn emergency care for nurses and LHV students at DHQ Buner.
Her leadership ensured:
- Skill-based coaching
- Real-world emergency scenarios
- Confidence-building for frontline staff
These sessions strengthened the capacity of Buner’s pediatric teams to handle complex neonatal emergencies.
Project Updates (2025–2026)
Homes Construction
Six Buner Homes under active construction; four nearing completion.
Medics Training
50+ medics trained in neonatal emergency care.
ECP-Neo Sessions
Hands-on ECP-Neo sessions conducted by SPIRE & PROSPER-UK trainers.
Meetings with Local Leaders
Community engagement meetings held with local leaders in Buner.
Planned Future Trainings
Additional training modules planned for upcoming months.
Coordination Established
Coordination framework between SPIRE-CHILD & DUA Foundation established.
Collaboration Opportunities
SPIRE-CHILD Buner Initiative is powered by a strong collaboration between:
DUA Foundation
Supporting community homes and humanitarian outreach.
PROSPER-UK
Providing international-level training, technical guidance, and pediatric emergency expertise.
DHQ Buner Pediatrics Department
Local leadership ensuring sustainable healthcare improvements.
These strategic partnerships allow SPIRE to deliver scalable, community-centered impact.
SPIRE-CHILD Buner Initiative FAQs
What is the SPIRE-CHILD Buner Initiative?
It is a community-focused project aimed at improving pediatric emergency care, supporting vulnerable families, and strengthening healthcare capacity in Buner district through training, outreach, and collaboration.
Who are the main partners in this project?
The initiative is a collaboration between SPIRE-CHILD, DUA Foundation, PROSPER-UK, and the Department of Pediatrics at DHQ Buner.
What kind of training was provided at DHQ Buner?
Healthcare professionals received Emergency Care in Pediatrics – Neonatal (ECP-Neo) training, focusing on newborn resuscitation, stabilization, and emergency management.
Who participated in the training programs?
More than 50 nurses, LHVs, and paramedics from DHQ Buner participated in the hands-on training sessions led by SPIRE and PROSPER-UK experts.
How does this project support children beyond healthcare training?
Alongside medical training, the project supports the Buner Homes initiative, providing safe housing and community support for families and children in need.
Can individuals or organizations collaborate with this project?
Yes. Medical professionals, NGOs, donors, and institutions are welcome to collaborate through SPIRE-CHILD to support training, outreach, or community development activities.
Is this project ongoing?
Yes. The SPIRE-CHILD Buner Initiative continues to expand with additional training sessions, community engagement, and infrastructure support planned.
Join the SPIRE-CHILD Buner Initiative today.
Help strengthen child health, emergency care, and community development in Buner.