Pakistan has launched a new digital platform to address persistent gaps in healthcare access, particularly for communicable diseases, after officials acknowledged that the availability of free treatment alone is insufficient to save lives without proper public awareness and system navigation.
According to an official information today, the Integrated OneImpact Community Platform, hosted by the Dopasi Foundation, was officially inaugurated at a high-level meeting on Monday. The initiative aims to fortify community engagement and improve patient access to care across tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and malaria services.
Addressing the assembly of national health programme representatives, development partners, and civil society members, Minister of State Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Malik described the platform as a transformative step toward a more inclusive and people-centred health system. He noted that despite the government providing free-of-cost treatment for TB, significant barriers remain.
Dr. Malik elaborated that these challenges include limited public awareness, social stigma, delays in seeking care, and widespread difficulties in navigating the complex healthcare system, which undermine efforts to control the substantial burden of communicable diseases in the country.
The OneImpact platform is designed to tackle these obstacles directly by integrating health information, service navigation, and community feedback into a single digital interface. It empowers patients to locate nearby health facilities, understand the services available, and report any difficulties encountered, thereby strengthening accountability.
The minister commended the move towards an integrated model combining TB, HIV, and malaria services, calling it a reflection of the nation”s commitment to innovation. He also stressed the importance of incorporating patient interaction, mental health components, and climate resilience into digital health solutions, alongside robust data integration with existing infrastructures.
Highlighting the collaborative nature of the project, Dr. Malik acknowledged the global leadership of the Stop TB Partnership and the crucial role of the Dopasi Foundation in advancing the platform within Pakistan. The efforts of Provincial TB Control Programmes in ensuring effective community-level service delivery were also recognised.
‘Free medicines save lives only when people know where to go, how to access care, and whom to turn to when they face barriers,’ the minister stated, expressing confidence in the platform”s potential to help create a healthier Pakistan.
Also speaking at the event, Aslam Ghauri, Secretary for the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, emphasised the need to leverage digital tools to ensure equitable access to essential health services. He reaffirmed the ministry”s commitment to strengthening outreach and ensuring no individual is left behind.
The launch of the digital platform marks a significant effort to empower communities and enhance timely access to quality healthcare services across the nation.