Have you ever used apps like Marham or Sehat Kahani to consult a doctor? If so, you’ve seen firsthand how technology is breaking barriers in healthcare in Pakistan. These platforms are not just tools; they represent a quiet revolution, bringing timely medical advice to people who might otherwise have had no access. From video consultations to AI-powered diagnostics, technology is transforming how healthcare is delivered in Pakistan. Let’s explore these advancements to learn how these technological innovations are not just an option but a necessity for meaningful social change.
The Role of Technology in Transforming Healthcare in Pakistan
While Sehat Kahani and Marham have been life savers for people, more grounded systems-based innovations have also improved the workflow of hospitals in Pakistan. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) allow doctors to access a patient’s full medical history and make quick, accurate decisions. This replaces the old, error-prone, and fragile paper records and makes sure important information is always available when needed, greatly improving diagnostic accuracy.
Health Information Management Systems (HIMS) handle everything from scheduling appointments to managing inventory, making hospitals run smoothly, saving time, and cutting down on costs. Plus, with less waiting around and better organization, patients get a much better experience.
SMART wearable devices, like smart insulin pumps and ECG monitors, help doctors keep an eye on patients’ health remotely, alerting them to issues like high blood sugar or heart problems.
Most recently, Pakistan has introduced Nayya Jee, an AI platform to help doctors catch health issues early. This has the potential to help save countless lives.
Tech Startups – The Key Catalysts for Innovation in Healthcare
For the last decade, tech startups have led the charge, coming up with amazing health-tech solutions that make life easier for everyone. For instance, Sehat Kahani works with local clinics and community organizations to extend its reach, ensuring that those in need don’t miss out on essential healthcare services.
And then there’s the corporate world stepping up its game. CSR isn’t just a buzzword anymore; it’s making a difference. Companies like Unilever and Engro have invested in health initiatives that directly impact underserved communities. Unilever’s “Project Sunlight”, “Sustainability Accelerated” and Breath Pakistan” initiatives focus on improving sanitation and health in rural Pakistan, while Engro has set up mobile health units in areas such as Ghotki, Qadirpur, and Daharki.
Collaboration Between Sectors: Driving Impact Through Partnerships
When it comes to changing healthcare for the better, collaboration is key. In Pakistan, we’re seeing how working together— tech companies, healthcare providers, and businesses— is making a real difference. For example, telemedicine apps like Sehat Kahani and Marham are doing more than just connecting patients to doctors. They’re partnering with local clinics and NGOs to reach people who otherwise might not have access to healthcare.
There are other great examples of public-private partnerships making waves in Pakistan. For instance, the Sehat Sahulat program, a collaboration between the government and private healthcare providers covers many health conditions, diagnostic tests, hospitalization, and surgeries. Another example is The Indus Hospital, a private hospital that partners with the government of Punjab to provide free healthcare services to low-income families.
Then we have The Lady Health Workers (LHW) Program Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan (AKHS) and the Government of Pakistan (primary healthcare, maternal and child health to underprivileged communities), and The National Polio Eradication Program and Private Sector Partnerships with mobile companies like Jazz.
This kind of collaboration isn’t just happening in Pakistan—around the world, tech innovations are driving massive change in healthcare. In countries like India, public-private partnerships like Aarogya Raksha and eSanjeevani have helped bring telehealth programs to rural areas, where healthcare is often hard to come by. These kinds of collaborations show us how combining the strengths of the public and private sectors can create solutions that work long-term.
It’s not just companies that are making waves, individuals with the capacity and a drive to disrupt are also having a massive impact. A great example of this is the renowned Pakistani-American physician and philanthropist, Dr. Anosh Ahmed. His extensive work in healthcare accessibility has led to the founding of several ventures using the framework from the Anosh Foundation and YOURDIL. Anosh Inc Foundation along with other major philanthropic initiatives, has invested over $10 million in healthcare, education, and community development to date.
“By fostering collaboration across industries such as tech and healthcare, we unlock solutions that drive societal progress. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities for a brighter and healthier future”, said Dr.Anosh
The Future of Med-Tech
Some other notable & upcoming developments in the field of med-tech include Accu-Chek which is testing a cool new “artificial pancreas” that combines a continuous glucose monitor, an insulin pump, and a glucagon pump (to help if blood sugar gets too low) controlled through a smartphone.
Meanwhile, engineers at the University of Michigan are working on a wearable vapor sensor that can actually “smell” when blood glucose is too high.
There’s also research being done on a test that could measure blood glucose just by analyzing your breath. Plus, temporary tattoos that monitor glucose levels might be available in the future—developers are just working on how to get the readings to you.
In fact, at a two-day summit organized in November 2024 by Unity Foods Limited and Nutshell Conferences Group, Mr David Heyman, founding partner of Andalus Holdings and Board Member at Kings College Hospital, London-UAE, discussed emerging trends like robotic surgery and nanomedicine.
As technology, business, and collaboration continue to reshape healthcare, Pakistan stands at a pivotal moment. The digital revolution is making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and proactive, while businesses and public-private partnerships are helping to close the gaps in service delivery.
Together, these forces have the potential to revolutionize healthcare, creating a model that can inspire change across the globe. The question is no longer whether these innovations will work, but how quickly we can implement them for the good of society.
The future of med-tech looks bright, it seems like we are on the cusp of a future where the kind of diagnostic and medical devices and machines that we grew up watching on shows like Star Trek are science facts rather than fiction.
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