The Current Telemedicine Landscape in Pakistan

Yasir Bucha holding Certification for ‘Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Fundamentals and Applications’ from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), an MBA in Management Information Systems from Cardiff  Business School, University of Wales, UK, and Bachelors in Engineering from GIK Institute of Sciences & Technology. Yasir boasts of an extensive career spanning over 24 years during which he has successfully handled key roles across companies such as, Mobilink (Vimpelcom), Techlogix, PwC Consulting UK and WorldCall Telecom. Additionally, apart from the Hospital venture he is the Managing Director at Buch Villas (a Project of Captain Developers - a Real Estate Development Company), he has co-founded five more companies – NovoSphere, RBM Technologies, Meta Circle,PayFor eCommerce and PayFor Financials.

In conversation with Prisila,Correspondent,Asia Business Outlook Magazine. Yasir shared his views about the current state of telemedicine in Pakistan and the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in implementing telemedicine in Pakistan.

Can you provide an overview of the current state of telemedicine in Pakistan and how it has evolved over the years?

While the telemedicine space is still burgeoning in Pakistan, it has evolved significantly over the past few years, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many individuals who sought healthcare advice were unable to visit hospitals in person, resulting in the emergence of the telemedicine trend in Pakistan. Initially, there were limitations in terms of technology and infrastructure; however, with recent technological advancements, telemedicine is now gaining widespread acceptance across the country, particularly in remote and underserved regions that lack access to proper healthcare services.

What advancements in technology have played a crucial role in enhancing telemedicine services in Pakistan?

Over the past decade, Pakistan has witnessed a significant enhancement in its internet connectivity infrastructure. Nowadays, broadband internet is readily accessible nationwide, and 4G connectivity is also widely available on smartphones. These developments have played a pivotal role in expanding the accessibility of telemedicine services throughout the country. Furthermore, the growth of mobile app development has been instrumental in propelling the telemedicine sector in Pakistan forward. Many healthcare institutions now offer their own mobile apps, enabling patients to conveniently access a wide range of healthcare services, including the ability to book appointments with their preferred doctors from the comfort of their homes. In addition to this, the trend towards cloud computing has swept across various industries, including healthcare. Cloud computing has greatly improved the management of patient records, with a substantial amount of data now stored in the cloud. The integration of mobile apps with cloud services has further fueled the growth of the telemedicine sector in Pakistan, ensuring that vital information is easily accessible. Finally, the advent of AI/ML technologies has brought about significant advancements in healthcare, particularly in the areas of diagnostics processing and patient data management. These technologies are causing profound transformations in the healthcare ecosystem, contributing to the evolution of telemedicine in Pakistan.

"Over the past decade, Pakistan has witnessed a significant enhancement in its internet connectivity infrastructure. Nowadays, broadband internet is readily accessible nationwide, and 4G connectivity is also widely available on smartphones"

Tell us about the key challenges faced by healthcare professionals in implementing telemedicine in Pakistan, along with ways to tackle them.

Numerous challenges persist within Pakistan's telemedicine sector. Infrastructure limitations, particularly in rural areas, pose a significant obstacle. Inefficient technology infrastructure hampers both the effectiveness and accessibility of telemedicine. For instance, when doctor-patient video calls are unclear, diagnosis and treatment recommendations become exceedingly difficult. To address this issue, healthcare organizations are adopting the Hub & Spoke model. Many hospitals are planning to establish spokes in areas with reliable Internet connectivity, enabling patients to access initial primary and secondary healthcare services locally, instead of traveling long distances to reach the main hub.

Furthermore, a substantial deficit in training and adoption exists. Many healthcare professionals in the country lack the necessary computer skills and still rely on handwritten prescriptions. Lastly, the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework for telemedicine in Pakistan remains a significant barrier to improving the overall healthcare ecosystem in the country.

What cultural and societal factors are impeding the acceptance of telemedicine among patients and healthcare providers in Pakistan?

There is an immediate need for awareness programs aimed at educating the population about telemedicine and its myriad benefits for patients. We are currently in the planning stages of a project in collaboration with the Melinda Gates Foundation. Our goal is to raise awareness about cancer among women, with a particular focus on cervical cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, when patients in Pakistan finally reach healthcare facilities, they are often in such a dire condition that many do not survive. It is crucial for the private sector to launch more awareness campaigns in close partnership with government agencies to convey the message that accessible treatments are available. Moreover, cultural constraints sometimes prevent female patients from visiting healthcare centers, making it essential to address these societal barriers as well.