ISLAMABAD, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Arif Alvi said that the government has been taking measures to promote telehealth services in the South Asian country for effective patient outreach and engagement.
The use of telecom technologies to connect patients with doctors for consultations, diagnosis and e-pharmacy is useful and can help further improve the healthcare system of Pakistan, the president said while addressing a seminar on health in the southern port city of Karachi on Monday.
"Digital platforms could enhance the reach of health services to far-flung low-income areas, besides providing timely advice to people and helping promote preventive healthcare solutions in the country," Alvi said.
He said that Pakistan needs to focus more on disease prevention rather than curing the diseases, and emphasized that initiating conversations at home is a step towards the solutions to issues such as mental health and well-being, and other health-related issues.
The Pakistani government has taken several measures including launching a helpline through an application to meet the challenge of mental health, he said.
Lauding various platforms and healthcare professionals for promoting telemedicine and telehealth services in the country, the president said that doctors, especially female doctors play pivotal roles in transforming the society with better services and opportunities.
