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Sunday February 09, 2025

CIS bridges healthcare gap with telemedicine in rural Pakistan

By APP
February 03, 2025
This photograph shows a Pakistani paramedic checking a child at a telemedicine online treatment centre in Pakistan. — AFP/File
This photograph shows a Pakistani paramedic checking a child at a telemedicine online treatment centre in Pakistan. — AFP/File

Islamabad:Access to healthcare has always been a challenge for rural and underserved communities in Pakistan, where medical facilities are limited, and specialist care is often out of reach.

Recognizing the critical need for accessible healthcare, COMSATS Internet Services (CIS) has expanded its Tele-Health Centres to bridge this gap through digital consultations and remote medical assistance. Under the leadership of Ambassador Dr Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, who took charge as Executive Director in 2022, CIS has revitalized and significantly grown its network. This expansion allows people in the most remote areas to access high-quality care without the burden of traveling long distances.

With 31 operational centres today up from 14 in 2022 CIS continues to play a transformative role in Pakistan’s healthcare landscape. CIS’s Tele-Health Centres offer a wide range of specialized services, including consultations in ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) for treating infections and hearing issues, gynaecology for maternal and reproductive health, paediatrics for child health monitoring, dermatology for skin conditions, and general OPD services.

By providing these services, CIS has assisted over 150,000 patients, improving healthcare accessibility for those in remote areas.

"CIS''s Tele-health initiative has been a lifesaver for people in our remote village. I no longer have to travel for hours to see a doctor. Now I can get expert advice right from my home. Thank you, CIS!" Ayesha, resident of village Sarband Peshawar, shared her experience with the APP.