Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday that the country will need more doctors if the coronavirus cases exceed further in the future, lamenting that the doctor-to-patient ratio in Pakistan is quite low as compared to other countries.
The prime minister made the statement after the inauguration of the telehealth portal, which will help people with medical emergencies.
In his address, the premier said that more than a million people have registered for the Corona Relief Tiger Force.
The PM also urged health workers to register themselves with the volunteer force. “Even after the coronavirus pandemic passes, we will need this force to go to far-flung areas in Pakistan.”
The prime minister said that through technology, the government can disseminate information to the far-flung areas and deal with their issues. Imran praised the telehealth initiative, saying that the health sector is facing huge challenges.
He reiterated that this year, the country will have to battle against the virus. “Until there is a vaccine made, we will have to put up with this virus,” cautioned the prime minister.
Imran Khan urged lady doctors to register themselves for the government’s Tele Health Portal as they would be able to reach women in “far-flung areas”.
He said: “This year our nation will have to join forces to fight against the virus. We previously launched an initiative for tele education and now are launching this initiative for tele health.”
He added that lady doctors should volunteer for the programme as their advice will be useful for women living in rural areas. “Even when coronavirus ends, we will continue [on] this portal,” he said.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Pakistan Tania Aidrus said the federal government’s telehealth portal was available to people across Pakistan.
“The service is available to all the Pakistanis. I am proud to announce that Pakistan is the first nation that is providing such a service for free,” Aidrus said while briefing about the initiative to Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Digital Pakistan’s Tania Aidrus said that the government’s Tele Health Portal was launched with the objective of reducing the burden on frontline healthcare workers that are battling the coronavirus outbreak.
“Any Pakistani can use WhatsApp to use this portal and reach out to a doctor for medical advice,” she said, urging doctors to volunteer.
“My appeal to doctors is that please go and sign up. We need your assistance in our fight against the pandemic.”
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said coronavirus has opened new ventures for healthcare and telehealth is one of them.
“The use of this [telehealth] service during the pandemic has increased. Pakistanis who think they have symptoms of coronavirus can just pick up their phone and connect with the doctors,” Mirza said.
“I urge all the lady doctors who were unable to continue their practice to avail this service and help the people. Telehealth is here to stay and it will be able to help people even in far-flung areas,” Mirza said.
