In line with the global theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, to commemorate the World health day 2025, COMSATS in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoNHSR&C) and the District Health Office (DHO) Islamabad, organized a four-day Telehealth Medical Camp from April 14–17, 2025, at the Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Gokina, a remote village in the Margalla Hills region, Islamabad.
This impactful initiative provided free teleconsultations to over 550 patients across various specialties including General Medicine, Pediatrics, Gynecology, and Dermatology, and aimed to demonstrate how tech-enabled healthcare access gap can be bridged in rural areas.
Reviving a Critical Healthcare Link
Gokina has long faced challenges in accessing reliable healthcare due to its remote location and limited infrastructure in the middle of the hills. This camp also marked the revival of Telehealth services in the region, which provided by COMSATS in the area, however, were discontinued in 2020 on the premise to continue through ICT administration’s own resources.
Recent engagement with MoNHSR&C led to the collaborative decision to restart services at Gokina, beginning with a medical camp on World Health Day. The Ministry directed DHO Islamabad to coordinate efforts with COMSATS for implementation, laying the groundwork for future permanent Telehealth deployment in the region.
COMSATS conducted technical assessment to evaluate available resources and carried out training of the staff from the DHO at the COMSATS Telehealth Resource Centre in Islamabad to effectively use the Telehealth system.
During the camp, the BHU was transformed into an operational Telehealth unit with separate rooms designated for registration, teleconsultation, dispensary, and ultrasound support. Teleconsultations were carried out through secure video links between patients at BHU Gokina and doctors stationed at the COMSATS Telehealth Resource Centre in Islamabad.
A custom-built Patient Information Management System (ComSoft) was used to ensure secure handling of patient data, prescriptions, and follow-up records.
Impact and Reach
Over the four days, the camp provided:
- 509 documented consultations, with additional patients seen manually due to system overload.
- Free diagnostic assessments and medicines.
- Emergency care for critical cases, including vasovagal syncope and a COPD patient, both of whom were stabilized and referred for further treatment.
High-Level Visit and Endorsement
On April 15, Mr. Mirza Nasir ud Din Mashood Ahmad, Special Secretary of MoNHSR&C, visited the camp alongwith the DHO Islamabad. They were joined virtually by Amb. Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director of COMSATS, who highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to Telehealth services across Pakistan. The Special Secretary praised the setup and recommended the establishment of a permanent Telemedicine clinic at BHU Gokina.
The Telehealth Medical Camp at Gokina demonstrated COMSATS’ commitment to bridging healthcare gaps using digital innovation. It stands as a scalable model for remote health service delivery and highlights the importance of multisectoral collaboration in achieving equitable health access across Pakistan.
