What We Do

Safe surgical care remains out of reach for millions in low- and middle-income countries. Surgical conditions account for a significant share of the global burden of disease, yet many health systems lack the workforce, infrastructure, and policies needed to deliver safe and timely care. In Pakistan, access to essential surgical care remains limited, with millions of required procedures unmet each year.

IRD’s Global Surgery domain reinforces surgical care through surgical systems strengthening and safe service delivery models. Working with governments and professional bodies, IRD supports national surgical planning, district hospital strengthening, and scalable delivery initiatives. By co-developing Pakistan’s National Vision for Surgical Care 2025 with the Indus Hospital & Health Network, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Pakistan and the World Health Organization, IRD supports improvements in infrastructure, workforce capacity, safety standards, and surgical information systems, with a focus on district-level reforms,. As an example, the Safe Circumcision Program expands access to this commonest surgical intervention through task-sharing and workforce development.

Together, these efforts help expand equitable access to essential surgical care.

Infectious diseases continue to pose a major global health threat, accounting for approximately one-quarter of all deaths worldwide, with tuberculosis alone causing over 1.3 million deaths annually. These diseases disproportionately affect populations living in poverty, where delayed diagnosis, weak surveillance, and poor treatment adherence fuel ongoing transmission. IRD’s Infectious Diseases domain focuses on strengthening detection, treatment, and care pathways through patient-centred models, digital tools, and system-level support. By working closely with governments and frontline providers, IRD improves disease control efforts, reduces preventable deaths, and contributes to more resilient health systems capable of responding to both endemic and emerging infectious threats.

Maternal and child health remains a critical global priority, with an estimated 260,000 women dying each year from pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes and millions of preventable child deaths occurring primarily in low- and middle-income countries.In Pakistan, maternal mortality remains high at roughly 155 deaths per 100,000 live births, with under-five mortality around 58 per 1,000 live births. Bangladesh has reduced child mortality to approximately 30 per 1,000 live births, yet maternal mortality remains above global targets. In South Africa, under-five mortality is approximately 35 per 1,000 live births, with persistent maternal health inequities.

Across these contexts, gaps in routine services including immunization, nutrition, infection prevention, safe delivery care, and early screening continue to drive preventable deaths. IRD strengthens these foundational systems through evidence-based, scalable interventions that improve access, continuity of care, and data-driven decision-making for women and children.

Mental health conditions are a major and growing contributor to the global burden of disease, with nearly 70% of this burden concentrated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). More than one in eight people worldwide live with a mental health condition, yet almost three-quarters of individuals in LMICs receive no treatment. Untreated mental health conditions contribute to disability, maternal health challenges, reduced productivity, and poorer overall wellbeing.

In countries such as Pakistan, access to care remains severely limited, with approximately one psychiatrist per 100,000 people and even fewer services available in rural areas and low-income urban communities. Distance, cost, stigma, and shortages of trained specialists continue to prevent many individuals from receiving support.

Task-shifting — training non-specialist providers to deliver structured mental health care — offers a practical and scalable approach to closing this treatment gap. IRD’s Mental Health domain strengthens access to care by integrating evidence-based mental health services into routine health and community platforms, building the capacity of frontline providers, and reducing stigma. Through these approaches, IRD helps ensure that mental health support reaches underserved populations in sustainable and scalable ways.