PESHAWAR – Sehat Kahani,Pakistan’s first ever female doctor enabled health Tech platform that aims to democratize healthcare, making it accessible for all, using telemedicine, launched its first Digital Health Innovation Hub (DHIH) in Pakistan in collaboration with Frontier Medical College(FMC), one of the leading medical institutions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(affiliated with the Bahria University)
Pakistan, today, is in dire need of proper health services as around 75% of the population not only lacks access to proper care via qualified doctors but also are not equipped with basic health education.As per statistics, only 1 doctor is available for every 1200 people in a population of 200 million. In the same country, almost 70% of the medical workforce consists of female doctors out of which on 23% ever practise.
Sehat Kahani through its unique telemedicine service connects this untapped qualified female doctor force to patients Pan Pakistan using its network of E- clinic for low income communities and its mobile application for urban populations.
This Digital Health Innovation Hub is created to enable patients to access medical specialists online that are not physically available to patients in their communities. It will help patients coming to Frontier Medical College from far off villages and also from other Sehat kahani E- clinics to have free access to tertiary care treatments.It will inspire medical students to gather first hand exposure to digital health innovations.FMC medical graduates as well as Sehat Kahani’s doctors and nurses will have online CMEs and trainings.This Hub will also be used to create KP’s First Digital Health Incubation Center and host KP’s Flagship Health and Innovation Conference.
The launch of “Digital Health Innovation Hub” was graced by leading officials of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, Dr. Asad Jamil Khan (CEO, Frontier Medical College), Guest of Honour Dr. Faisal Khanzada, Chief Guest Secretary Health Dr. Syed Farooq Jameel, Sehat Kahani’s key Community Development Partner, and Technical Advisor, Mr. Umar Farooq (CEO, Tech Valley) and Adil Fazal (Preventive Care Manager, Sehat Kahani).
Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram (CEO, Sehat Kahani) said,“Despite many challenges related to healthcare access and delivery, the region has so much potential to create solutions using technology.This DHIH will help strengthening the health tech ecosystem in KP and is a huge opportunity to pave the way for the establishment of more telemedicine E- Clinics in partnership with universities and the government”
The CEO of Frontier Medical College (FMC), Dr. Asad Jameel added to this at the ceremony, “FMC has always been a pioneer in creating state of the art health services for patients at subsidised rates. This DHIH will enable us to help more patients, create employment for female doctors and foster health innovation in our students to prepare them for health care delivery in the future”
Mr. Umar Farooq added “This project gives me immense pride and hope that many patients will benefit from specialist care and our medical students will have the inspiration to nurture their innovative ideas in health care”
“ The merged districts of KP has long suffered from lack of healthcare and health education services. This Hub should be expanded to these districts to enable qualified doctor access and specialist care”
Secretary Health, Dr. Farooq Jamil said “ I am amazed to witness this launch today.KP is committed to provide health care access to all patients.Sehat Kahani’s unique vision to use female doctors from their homes to patients in need of healthcare using telemedicine is commendable.This network of E- clinics should be expanded to all underserved areas as it can save many lives”
