A new program called DoctHERS is not only helping patients in Pakistan's remote communites access medical care, but it is also helping female physicians continue working after marriage. In Pakistan it is common for female doctors to give up practicing medicine after getting married or having a child. This platform helps to ensure these women can continue working in their profession even if they are not employed at a hospital or clinic.
DoctHERS is a telemedicine platform that connects female physicians with patients at purpose-built clinics. Each of these clinics is equipped with two rooms, a small pharmacy, medical equipment and a laptop. A nurse practitioner then performs a medical exam while the doctor offers a remote consultation. While the clinics are not exclusively reserved for women, the majority of the patients thus far have been female.
With eight purpose-built clinics in operation, DoctHERS has already helped provide more than 20,000 patients with medical care.
What's Driving This Trend
- Telemedicine for Remote Communities
- Opportunity for telemedicine platforms to connect remote communities with healthcare providers, bridging the gap in access to medical care.
- Supporting Female Physicians
- Opportunity for platforms like DoctHERS to provide opportunities for female doctors to continue practicing medicine after marriage or having a child.
- Purpose-built Clinics
- Opportunity to create purpose-built clinics equipped with necessary medical equipment and technology to support telemedicine consultations.
Who This Affects Most
- Healthcare Technology
- Opportunity for healthcare technology companies to develop telemedicine platforms that support remote consultations and connect patients with healthcare providers.
- Workforce Development
- Opportunity for workforce development programs to provide support and resources for female physicians to continue practicing medicine and overcome barriers such as marriage or childcare.
- Telehealth Infrastructure
- Opportunity for companies to invest in building purpose-built clinics with the necessary infrastructure and technology to support telehealth services and consultations.
