Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja held a strategic dialogue aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery through the integration of information technology across the country.

The ministers focused on leveraging digital solutions to expand healthcare access and improve efficiency, particularly through telemedicine.

Minister Kamal emphasized the critical role of technology in addressing healthcare challenges. “Given Pakistan’s growing population and the limited availability of basic health infrastructure, telemedicine has become an essential solution,” he explained.

He underscored telemedicine’s potential to bring healthcare services directly to people’s homes, particularly in underserved and remote areas. Moreover, Kamal expressed concerns about the strain on major hospitals, noting that a significant portion of patients at large hospitals could be treated at primary healthcare centers if basic health units were available.

Highlighting the need for a universal medical record system, Kamal introduced the ‘One Patient, One ID’ initiative. Under this system, each patient will receive a unique Medical Record number, enabling healthcare providers nationwide to access a patient’s medical history efficiently.

IT Minister Khawaja pledged her ministry’s support for these initiatives. “The Ministry of IT is committed to facilitating the integration of digital technologies in healthcare to improve service delivery and accessibility,” she assured.

The meeting concluded with a unified commitment to utilize digital innovations to address healthcare gaps and ensure that all citizens have access to quality medical care.