It’s a blistering hot morning in the Thar Desert. A young mother, Aasia, sits on the floor of her mud house with her phone pressed to her ear. On the screen is a doctor, speaking gently in Urdu, guiding her through her daughter’s persistent fever. For Aasia, who lives over 100 kilometers from the nearest clinic, this voice on her phone is a lifeline.
“I used to wait for the mobile clinic that only came once a month,” she says. “Now, I can talk to a doctor anytime. My daughter’s fever went down with the right medicine.”
Across Pakistan’s rural regions, stories like Aasia’s are becoming more common. The rise of telemedicine—the remote delivery of healthcare through technology—is reshaping access to medical care for millions who live far from hospitals or health centers. As internet and mobile phone penetration grow, even in hard-to-reach areas, so does the hope of timely medical help.
A Growing Need, A Timely Solution
In a country where over 60% of the population lives in rural areas, access to basic healthcare has long been a challenge. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, nearly one in three rural households must travel more than an hour to reach a healthcare facility.
Enter startups like Sehat Kahani and doctHERs, which are using video consultations, mobile apps, and community health workers to connect patients with qualified doctors—often women working from home.
“We’ve trained hundreds of female doctors who were unable to work due to family or cultural restrictions,” says Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram, co-founder of Sehat Kahani. “Now they’re saving lives from their living rooms.”
How It Works
Patients can visit local telehealth hubs or use their own smartphones to book consultations. Health workers assist with vital signs, and prescriptions are delivered via SMS or local pharmacies. In areas like Gilgit-Baltistan and interior Sindh, solar-powered hubs provide stable internet connections.
A recent impact study by Sehat Kahani reported a 75% increase in timely treatment for patients in remote areas, along with a 40% reduction in travel costs for families.
Challenges Remain
Despite its promise, telemedicine in Pakistan faces hurdles. Many rural areas still struggle with unstable internet, low digital literacy, and cultural barriers—especially for women seeking care.
“There are still people who don’t trust a doctor unless they can touch them,” says Shabana, a health worker in Balochistan. “But when they see someone get better, they believe.”
The government has started to take notice. In 2023, the Ministry of Health announced plans to expand digital health services to underserved districts as part of its Universal Health Coverage goals.
A Healthier Future?
Back in Tharparkar, Aasia says she now encourages other women in her village to try telehealth. “I was scared at first. But when I saw my child get better, I believed.”
For many like her, digital health isn’t just a convenience—it’s a revolution.