ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Tuesday inaugurated first-ever Telemedicine Centre in Islamabad aiming to modernize and revolutionize health sector especially to provide basic and necessary health services to the masses without visiting major hospitals.
The Telemedicine Centre is set up at Basic Health Unit (BHU) Gokina which was formally inaugurated by the Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal.The minister termed the telemedicine system a “silent revolution” in the health sector, saying it serves as an effective alternative to the conventional primary healthcare system.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the first healthcare center established under the banner of SehatKahani with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health, he said that the telemedicine system has been launched at BHUs of the federal capital.
Mustafa Kamal said that today marks a major milestone for telemedicine, as the project has formally been launched in Gokina village.
The minister said that ‘SehatKahani’ will provide digital healthcare facilities and help reduce the burden on hospitals. He noted that both public and private hospitals are overcrowded, resembling political rallies, due to the absence of an effective primary and secondary healthcare system.
He emphasized that telemedicine is a viable alternative to strengthen primary healthcare, adding that nearly 70 percent of patients visiting major hospitals should instead be treated at basic health centers.
He said telemedicine systems are being installed at six locations in Islamabad and four in Karachi. Under the system, patients will be examined simultaneously by three general physicians via online video consultation. A total of 18 doctors will be available online at six locations.
Prescriptions will be issued online, and medicines will be provided to patients on-site, which will gradually reduce the rush at major hospitals.
Mustafa Kamal also highlighted that a large number of doctors, especially female doctors, are currently not in active practice. Through telemedicine, they will be able to treat patients from their homes. “We envisioned this dream a few months ago; this is just the first drop of rain,” he said.
He added that the first BHU was inaugurated on Tuesday and that a new BHU will be inaugurated every week thereafter. Patient consultations will be conducted from morning till 6:00 pm. He also announced that he would continue to pay surprise visits to these centers.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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