In the healthcare world, telemedicine is an astonishing technological invention that has helped deliver medical facilities to remote and underdeveloped areas. It has closed the gap in delivering healthcare services to underdeveloped areas. Telemedicine has provided strong support to the health system in backward areas that are far from the modern world, and it has built a network of healthcare professionals across every region of the world.

Overview of Telemedicine in Pakistan

Pakistan, where 65% of the population lives in villages and 35% in cities. "If we compare modern telemedicine facilities with traditional full-time healthcare services, it is an easier and more economical option that has helped improve the overall quality of healthcare by reducing distances and addressing the lack of facilities in remote areas. Telemedicine in Pakistan has experienced significant growth over the past 4 years, with its expansion notably fast-tracked by the COVID-19 pandemic. This digital healthcare platform has brought doctors and patients much closer through video calls via their mobile application. It provides an online platform that eliminates the need to visit clinics or wait in long queues for hours.

Online Health Services in Pakistan

Telehealth services in Pakistan offer a wide array of medical solutions delivered through digital technology.

1. Video Consultation: Patients can speak with a specialist via video call from anywhere without the need to travel to a hospital or clinic.

2. E-Prescription: These are digital prescriptions generated online and saved directly to your phone, allowing you to get your medicines without the hassle of finding and carrying paper prescriptions.

3. Telepharmacy: Through telemedicine platforms, telepharmacy services are also available, where medicines are delivered to your home based on the e-prescription provided by your doctor.

4. Home Sampling: Diagnostic labs on telemedicine platforms allow you to upload doctor-recommended tests and request home sample collection for convenience.

5. Home Therapies: Telemedicine offers access to mental health therapies and customized nutritional diet plans, all from the comfort of your home.

6.Educational Content: Digital healthcare platforms provide a variety of health-related educational resources that help patients manage their conditions and make informed decisions. 

7. Telemedicine Representative Services: These services help you find and consult with the best available doctors near your area based on your symptoms and preferred timing. 

8. Telemonitoring: Patients with chronic illnesses can use mobile apps to instantly share their health data with doctors, allowing for continuous remote monitoring of their condition. 

Telemedicine Solutions in Pakistan 

In Pakistan, the field of telemedicine is progressing through various modern means, including 

• Mobile Apps: Platforms like Sehat Kahani and Marham offer appointment booking,  video consultations, and health info. 

• Web Portals: Let users find doctors, read reviews, and book virtual visits.

• Call Centers: Provide medical advice via phone, ideal for low-internet areas.

• Hospital Integration: Enables online follow-ups and specialist consultations. 

These services are user-friendly and available in both English and Urdu to ensure broader access. 

Remote Healthcare in Pakistan 

Due to Pakistan’s diverse terrain and limited healthcare infrastructure in many areas, telemedicine provides an effective means for delivering healthcare services directly to those in need, regardless of location. 

Remote healthcare offers several key advantages:

• Access to Various Specialists: Those residing in remote regions can gain access to expert doctors who are highly reputed for their skills and are typically based in large cities for the treatment of various illnesses. 

• Regular Monitoring: It is beneficial for patients with chronic conditions, as consistent check-ups and monitoring are essential to avoid potential complications. 

• Emergency Consultations: Urgent consultations help evaluate the seriousness of a medical issue and provide immediate guidance.

These advantages not only improve patient outcomes but also reduce the strain on overcrowded hospitals in urban areas. 

Online Doctor Consultations in Pakistan 

More and more patients are turning to online consultations as their first step toward medical care. Here’s how it works: 

1. Sign Up: Join through a website or app. 

2. Find a doctor: Choose based on specialty and schedule, or you can also search for a doctor through specialty, symptoms, or disease. 

3. Select your consultation type: select what you would like to prefer, either video consultation, in-clinic, or quick consultation. 

4. Book a Slot: Pick a time and day that works for you. 

5. Talk to the Doctor: Connect via video, audio, or chat. 

6. Get Follow-Up: Receive your prescription and advice online. 

This streamlined approach offers a time-saving and cost-effective alternative to traditional, in-person healthcare visits. 

Leading Telemedicine Providers in Pakistan 

Several Digital healthcare platforms in Pakistan play a leading role in the telemedicine  revolution in Pakistan: 

1. Apka Muaalij

One of the leading digital healthcare platforms in Pakistan, which makes it different  from other platforms in Pakistan in several ways, such as offering not only online video, in-clinic,  and quick consultations but also providing you with: 

• Telepharmacy Service: It delivers medicines to your home based on your e-prescription. 

• Home Sampling: In collaboration with Pakistan’s well-known diagnostic labs, it provides home sampling services and sends your reports online. 

• In-Clinic Discount: When booking an in-clinic consultation through Apka Muaalij,  patients can receive up to a 12% discount. 

• Sick Note: You can get a verified medical certificate (sick note) from a certified doctor without leaving your home.

• Free Vital History Maintenance: After logging in as a patient, you can maintain a daily record of your vitals. The platform categorizes your vitals using colours red (out of normal range), green (within normal range), and yellow (borderline range), which helps doctors during future consultations. 

• Appointment Booking: You can book any appointment in just 30 seconds. 

• Patient Forum: You can receive free medical advice tailored to your questions through the patient discussion forum. 

• User-Friendly app: The app is extremely user-friendly, requiring no guidance to navigate.

• Optimized App: It’s optimized to use minimal phone storage, occupying just 53 MB.

2. Marham:

Features a broad network of healthcare professionals offering

• Online consultations, 

• Diagnostic services, 

• Community health discussions. 

3. Oladoc:

An Extensive Network of Verified Practitioners that offer 

• Online video consultations 

• Lab testing 

• Medicine delivery 

Takeaway 

Telemedicine is a major leap in healthcare, enabling remote consultations with qualified doctors through internet-based platforms. Despite challenges like privacy concerns and tech limitations,  it offers improved accessibility and efficiency. In Pakistan, it’s expanding in underserved areas.  Collaboration between the government, private sector, and tech providers is key to maximizing its potential and improving nationwide healthcare access. 

To access these services, you can visit Pakistan’s leading digital healthcare platform, Apka  Muaalij, at www.apkamuaalij.com, where you can book an appointment with a doctor of your choice and explore many other features not available on other telemedicine platforms. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is telemedicine? 

A: Telemedicine is the remote delivery of healthcare using digital communication tools. 

Q: How is telemedicine used in Pakistan? 

A: It’s used for video consultations, electronic prescriptions, follow-ups, and chronic care. 

Q: Which are the top telemedicine platforms in Pakistan? 

A: Apka Muaalij , Marham, OLADOC, Find My Doctor, and Dawaai. 

Q: How do patients connect with doctors using telemedicine in Pakistan?

A: Via mobile apps or websites through video, chat, or voice calls. 

Q: What are the benefits of telemedicine for Pakistan’s healthcare system?

A: Increases accessibility, reduces hospital load, saves time, and lowers costs. 

Q: How affordable is telemedicine for patients in Pakistan? 

A: It’s cost-effective, with many platforms offering free or low-cost services.