In a significant stride towards modernizing healthcare access, Karachi has inaugurated its very first Digital Health Centre (DHC) in the Korangi area. This pioneering facility, a collaborative effort between Sehat Kahani and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), was officially opened on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. The centre aims to bridge the healthcare gap for underserved communities by leveraging technology to provide quality medical services.
A New Model for Accessible Healthcare
The newly launched Digital Health Centre represents a fusion of physical infrastructure and digital innovation. Located within the Government Dispensary in Korangi's Chakra Goth, Sector 34, the facility is designed to offer a comprehensive suite of services under one roof. The core model connects patients with female doctors via telemedicine, addressing both the shortage of medical professionals in remote areas and cultural preferences for female practitioners.
The centre will provide free medical consultations, diagnostic services, and a pharmacy. This integrated approach ensures that patients can consult a doctor, undergo necessary tests, and receive prescribed medication all at the same location, eliminating the need for multiple trips to different facilities.
Services and Strategic Partnerships
The operational heart of the DHC is its telemedicine platform, powered by Sehat Kahani's network of over 3,000 qualified doctors. Patients can have video consultations with physicians specializing in various fields. To support accurate diagnosis, the centre is equipped with essential diagnostic tools, including:
- Digital X-ray machines
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) equipment
- Ultrasound machines
- Laboratory for pathological tests
This initiative is part of a broader memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Sehat Kahani and KMC, which plans to replicate this model in 10 additional dispensaries across Karachi. The project has garnered support from key figures, including Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, who were present at the inauguration. Mayor Wahab emphasized that this public-private partnership is a crucial step towards fulfilling the local government's responsibility of providing accessible healthcare to all citizens.
The Vision Behind the Digital Health Initiative
Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Sehat Kahani, highlighted the centre's mission to serve low-income communities who often struggle with the high costs and logistical challenges of accessing healthcare. By digitizing the existing dispensary, the project enhances its utility without requiring citizens to travel to distant, crowded tertiary care hospitals for basic needs.
The model not only improves patient convenience but also creates a sustainable ecosystem. It generates employment opportunities for local women, who can serve as clinic assistants or nurses, and provides a platform for doctors, especially women who may have left the workforce, to practice medicine remotely. The Mayor confirmed that the KMC will provide the physical space and basic utilities, while Sehat Kahani will manage the technological integration, doctor network, and overall service delivery.
Implications and Future Outlook
The launch of Karachi's first Digital Health Centre marks a transformative moment in the city's public health landscape. It directly tackles issues of affordability, accessibility, and quality in primary care. For the residents of Korangi and surrounding areas, it means reliable healthcare is now just a short distance away.
The success of this pilot project in Korangi is expected to pave the way for the planned expansion to other parts of the metropolis. This scalable model demonstrates how technology can be harnessed to optimize underutilized public health assets, potentially setting a benchmark for other cities in Pakistan to follow. It stands as a testament to how innovative partnerships between the public sector and health-tech enterprises can create tangible solutions for pressing societal challenges.
