In Islamabad on November 2, 2026, Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal announced 10 additional telemedicine centres in collaboration with Sehat Kahani, to expand access to healthcare through technology and ease pressure on public hospitals.
What happened?
The announcement was made at a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony in Islamabad on Monday, November 2. The government has already established 10 telemedicine centres, including six in Islamabad and four in Karachi, and the latest agreement will further expand the initiative. Pakistan’s first state-of-the-art telemedicine centre will also be established at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) after its emergency department shifts to a new building.
Key details
- 10 additional telemedicine centres announced, in collaboration with Sehat Kahani
- 10 centres already established: six in Islamabad and four in Karachi
- First phase of the initiative completed; the system has saved approximately Rs70 million for the public within a short period of its launch, as reported
- 500 new doctors added to the telemedicine network
- Under the arrangement, the government will provide space and medicines, while Sehat Kahani will bear the doctors’ consultation fees
- The network is planned to extend to Gilgit-Baltistan and other areas, so people in underserved regions can benefit from remote medical consultations
What it means for people in Pakistan
For patients who live far from a hospital or struggle to see a doctor in person, a nearby telemedicine centre can mean a consultation without a long journey. Remote consultations can also help ease the load on busy public hospitals, while bringing medical advice closer to communities in underserved areas.
Source: https://islamabadpost.com.pk/govt-to-establish-10-more-telemedicine-centres/
