‘Integrating mental health into primary care critical for reducing treatment gap in rural areas’

Sehat Kahani, in partnership with the British Asian Trust, CareTech Foundation, and Vitol Foundation, hosted an event in Karachi to present key findings from its Integration of Mental Health into Primary Care (IPC) project, launched in 2022 to embed mental health services within primary care systems across Pakistan and the AJK.

Titled From Silos to Strengthened Systems, the event showcased how telehealth is expanding access to mental healthcare in underserved communities. It also highlighted the project’s impact through training healthcare providers, establishing referral pathways, and integrating mental health support into existing e-clinics, offering a scalable, community-based care model, said a press release issued on Wednesday.

Dr Sara Saeed Khurram, CEO of Sehat Kahani, said that integrating mental health into primary care was critical for reducing the treatment gap in rural areas. “Our telemedicine initiative has revolutionized mental health access in rural communities, delivering specialist consultations from Karachi to remote areas. Thousands have benefited, and we're proud to be making a lasting impact,” she remarked. Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga, COO of Sehat Kahani, said, "Sehat Kahani's innovative approach to mental health care has integrated services into 44 of our e-clinics, reaching over 40,000 individuals through screenings and 75,000+ consultations, and making a meaningful impact in rural areas."

Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive of the British Asian Trust, emphasised the role of collaborative partnerships in addressing mental health challenges. “Our work with Sehat Kahani demonstrates how innovation and partnerships can create a lasting impact in communities that need it most. This collaboration is a powerful example of how technology can bridge the mental health care gap, making support accessible and stigma-free”, he said. Nida Khuhro, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, delivered the keynote address. “Sehat Kahani and its partners have done an excellent job integrating technology into mental healthcare. The government remains committed to advancing this important domain. It is time to mainstream mental health services across every level of our healthcare system”, she said.