Empowering Community Health Workers through Telemedicine: My Journey with Sehat Kahani
Written by APF + Sehat Kahani Pakistan Fellow (2024) Mifrah Hayath
As someone deeply involved in healthcare innovation, I’ve had the privilege of working on projects that push the boundaries of how care is delivered in underserved communities. One project that has particularly resonated with me is Sehat Kahani's e-clinical model. This initiative is transforming healthcare in Pakistan by leveraging telemedicine to empower Community Health Workers (CHWs) and provide quality medical services to those who need it most.
Over the course of my involvement with Sehat Kahani, I’ve come to realize that telemedicine is not just a technological innovation — it’s a lifeline for communities that have been deprived of basic healthcare. More importantly, it is a means of empowering women in a system where opportunities for professional growth can be severely limited.
THE HEALTHCARE GAP IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s healthcare system faces significant challenges, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The lack of healthcare infrastructure, coupled with socio-economic and cultural barriers, makes it difficult for people—especially women and marginalized communities—to access the care they need. While urban centers may offer more robust healthcare options, rural regions often lack even basic medical facilities. For many people, the nearest clinic or hospital is several hours away, and financial limitations further exacerbate the problem.
As someone working closely with this issue, I’ve seen how these barriers manifest in daily life. Communities without proper access to healthcare suffer from preventable diseases, untreated conditions, and, often, unnecessary deaths. It’s hard to overstate the human cost of this disparity.
Sehat Kahani’s e-clinical model offers a solution, bringing healthcare directly to those who need it. Through telemedicine, patients in rural areas can consult doctors virtually, eliminating the need for travel and reducing the cost of seeking medical care. As Allah says in the Quran:
"And whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity." (Quran 5:32)
This verse resonates deeply with the work we are doing at Sehat Kahani. Every life we touch through telemedicine is a step toward not just better healthcare but a better world — one where everyone has access to the care they deserve, no matter where they live.
Mifrah Hayath
I’ve come to realize that telemedicine is not just a technological innovation — it’s a lifeline for communities that have been deprived of basic healthcare [and] a means of empowering women in a system where opportunities for professional growth can be severely limited.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH SEHAT KAHANI’S E-CLINICAL MODEL
Sehat Kahani is a telemedicine platform that connects patients in underserved communities with female doctors through virtual consultations. It addresses two significant issues in Pakistan's healthcare system: the shortage of doctors in rural areas and the barriers that prevent women from accessing medical care. The innovation of Sehat Kahani lies not just in the technology but in the way it brings people together. Female doctors who are unable to work due to societal or personal reasons can now practice from home, while CHWs run local e-clinics to facilitate consultations.
During my time working with Sehat Kahani, I witnessed firsthand how CHWs make this model work. These women are the backbone of the e-clinical system. They set up and run the clinics, ensuring that patients receive care from remote doctors via video calls. Their work involves much more than just facilitating consultations — they conduct patient intake, assist with follow-up care, and manage the day-to-day operations of the clinic. Their entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and dedication are truly inspiring.
Through my involvement in the research, I’ve spoken to many CHWs about their experiences. It became clear to me that these women aren’t just workers — they’re changemakers. They’re empowering themselves, their families, and their communities by providing healthcare services in regions where such services were previously scarce. Many CHWs shared with me how their involvement with Sehat Kahani has improved their lives economically. One CHW told me, “I now earn more than I did in my previous job, which has greatly improved my family's financial situation.” These personal stories, repeated across various regions, reflect the broader impact of telemedicine on economic empowerment.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES WITH TECHNOLOGY
While the success of Sehat Kahani’s model is undeniable, it hasn’t come without its challenges. One of the most significant hurdles I’ve encountered while working on this project is the limited internet connectivity in rural areas. It’s frustrating to see that sometimes the lack of reliable infrastructure hampers what could otherwise be seamless telemedicine consultations. As one CHW put it, “We often experience network outages, which disrupt consultations and delay medical care for patients.”
The lack of digital infrastructure in rural Pakistan has often been a barrier to expanding telemedicine services. I’ve seen firsthand how this can lead to delays in care, with patients having to wait for hours, or even days, before consultations can be resumed. In an age where we are accustomed to fast, on-demand services, it can be hard to imagine the frustration and stress this causes for both healthcare providers and patients.
However, despite these technological challenges, I’ve seen how resilient the CHWs are. They find ways to adapt, using mobile hotspots or traveling to areas with better connectivity to ensure their patients receive care. Their perseverance in the face of these obstacles has been one of the most inspiring aspects of my journey with Sehat Kahani. This experience has reinforced my belief that with the right support — such as improved infrastructure and comprehensive training — telemedicine can be a game-changer for healthcare delivery in remote areas.
THE POWER OF TELEMEDICINE: MORE THAN JUST HEALTHCARE
One of the most profound realizations I’ve had through this project is that telemedicine doesn’t just improve healthcare; it also empowers women in the healthcare workforce. Many of the CHWs I’ve interacted with spoke about how their jobs have given them a sense of purpose and pride. One CHW told me, “This job has given me a purpose and a way to contribute to my community. I feel proud to be part of this initiative.”
Telemedicine provides CHWs with an opportunity to build professional skills, earn a living, and contribute to the health and wellbeing of their communities. These women are often from the same regions they serve, which makes their contributions even more impactful. They aren’t just intermediaries — they are local leaders who are reshaping the healthcare landscape in their areas.
Iqbal’s poetry speaks to this spirit of empowerment:
“خودی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر تقدیر سے پہلے
خدا بندے سے خود پوچھے، بتا تیری رضا کیا ہے”
(“Raise thyself to such heights that even before destiny can write its decree, God Himself will inquire, ‘What is it that you desire?’”)
This verse resonates with the transformation I’ve witnessed among the CHWs I’ve worked with. These women, who may have previously lacked professional opportunities, are now at the forefront of healthcare innovation in their communities. They have raised themselves to new heights, and in doing so, they are changing their destinies and the destinies of those around them.
LOOKING FORWARD: THE FUTURE OF TELEMEDICINE IN PAKISTAN
Reflecting on my experience with Sehat Kahani, I am filled with optimism about the future of telemedicine in Pakistan. The model has already shown that it can improve healthcare access while empowering CHWs economically and socially. The next step is scaling this model and addressing the challenges — like internet connectivity — that hinder its full potential.
I believe that for telemedicine to reach its full potential, we need a concerted effort to improve infrastructure in rural areas. This includes not only better internet connectivity but also access to affordable technology and comprehensive digital literacy training. Without these improvements, telemedicine will remain limited to areas where the necessary infrastructure already exists, leaving the most underserved communities still out of reach.
As I continue working on this project, I’m committed to advocating for better infrastructure and more robust training for CHWs. I believe that with these improvements, Sehat Kahani’s e-clinical model can be a blueprint for healthcare delivery not just in Pakistan but in other low-resource settings around the world.
CONCLUSION: A PERSONAL REFLECTION
Being part of Sehat Kahani’s journey has been incredibly rewarding. It’s given me a unique perspective on the intersection of healthcare, technology, and economic empowerment. I’ve seen how telemedicine can transform lives — not just by providing healthcare to those who need it but by giving healthcare workers the tools they need to thrive.
The Quranic verse about saving a life and Iqbal's poetry both inspire and motivate me to continue this important work. Together, they remind me that small actions can lead to monumental change. Sehat Kahani is proof that with vision, determination, and community-driven solutions, we can overcome even the most entrenched barriers to healthcare access.
I’m excited to continue working on this initiative and to see where telemedicine can take us. The road ahead may have its challenges, but the potential for impact is limitless. I firmly believe that telemedicine is not just a solution for today — it’s a bridge to a healthier, more equitable future.