ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Health and Sehat Kahani signed a memorandum of understanding on telemedicine in Islamabad, marking the launch of the second phase of the initiative.
Addressing the signing ceremony, Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal said the ministry had achieved another milestone by moving ahead with the telemedicine programme after completing its first phase.
He said 10 telemedicine centres had been established in the first phase in collaboration with Sehat Kahani, while 10 more centres were now being opened under the second phase. The minister said the scope of telemedicine would be expanded further.
Mustafa Kamal said 500 new doctors had been added to the telemedicine system, while the doctors’ fee was being paid by Sehat Kahani.
He said the government was making full use of modern technology to provide quality medical facilities to the public and was utilising all available resources to ensure healthcare services at people’s doorstep.
The health minister said the old emergency department of PIMS Hospital would be shifted to the new emergency within a few days. He added that a state-of-the-art telemedicine facility was being established in the old emergency area of PIMS Hospital.
Mustafa Kamal said every possible effort was being made to improve the life of the common man. He said telemedicine had so far helped people save Rs70 million.
“In this time of inflation, people are getting access to good doctors at their doorstep,” the minister said.
He said the promotion of telemedicine would reduce the burden of patients on major hospitals. The minister added that the primary healthcare system was being strengthened through telemedicine.
Mustafa Kamal said the government was committed to ensuring universal health and that the process of reforms in the health sector was continuing at a fast pace.
