Health Minister Backs EZ Shifa’s Telemedicine Initiative for Nationwide Expansion
Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has expressed strong support for the national expansion of EZ Shifa’s “Digital Clinic” telemedicine initiative, calling it a revolutionary step in transforming healthcare access across Pakistan. The minister was briefed on the platform’s core features during a meeting with EZ Shifa’s Chief Technology Officer, highlighting its potential to bridge critical healthcare gaps.
Kamal emphasized that implementing telemedicine in the health sector will be revolutionary, particularly for the large segment of the population unable to reach hospitals. “Currently, 70% of patients bypass Basic Health Units and head straight to major hospitals,” he noted. “With telemedicine, we can reduce this burden and enhance the functionality of local health centers.”
The minister stressed leveraging widespread connectivity to deliver health services more effectively, stating, “A medical consultation is now just a phone call away.” He highlighted that telemedicine will particularly benefit patients in underserved and remote areas. The initiative will be executed under a Public-Private Partnership model, involving transparent bidding to select technology partners.
Kamal also revealed plans to integrate citizens’ medical records with their national identity cards for improved care coordination. To support the effort, pharmaceutical companies will be encouraged to establish factory outlets to ensure streamlined medicine distribution. “We envision a future where healthcare reaches even the farthest corners of the country through digital means,” Kamal concluded.
EZ Shifa is a health technology company established in 2018 by philanthropists, technologists, and entrepreneurs from the USA, UK, and Pakistan. The organization’s Digital Clinic initiative focuses on deploying telemedicine kiosks across Pakistan to provide affordable, quality primary healthcare services to underserved communities.
