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Dr Sara Saeed, ‘Rolex Award for Enterprise’ Winner Has Setup a Network of 7,000 Doctors

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A
    • Dr. Sara Saeed, a Rolex Award for Enterprise recipient, has established a network of 7,000 doctors in Pakistan through her initiative ‘Sehat Kahani,’ providing virtual consultations to patients in remote areas.
  • Sehat Kahani, founded in 2017, bridges the healthcare gap in Pakistan using advanced technologies, including telehealth, and has significantly improved healthcare delivery.
  • The initiative addresses the shortage of female doctors in the workforce, contributing to over 1.1 million consultations and 65 online clinics, supported by the Rolex Award for Enterprise.

Dr. Sara Saeed, recipient of the prestigious Rolex Award for Enterprise, has established a network of 7,000 doctors in Pakistan. These doctors provide virtual consultations to patients residing in remote areas of Pakistan through the initiative led by Dr Sara Saeed’s ‘Sehat Kahani.’

Sehat Kahani has brought about a major improvement in healthcare delivery in Pakistan, that has been achieved due to advanced technologies and extensive network services. Telehealth, an emerging technology across the globe, and is playing a crucial role in delivering high-quality healthcare services directly to the doorsteps of individuals, especially those living is rural areas unable to reach the nearest clinic or hospital.

Dr Sara Saeed, ‘Sehat Kahani’ and a Network of 7000 Doctors

Sehat Kahani, inaugurated in 2017, stands as a leading initiative in this domain. Its visionary founder, Dr. Sara Saeed, a medical professional, is on a mission to fortify Pakistan’s delicate healthcare system by bridging the gap between patients and physicians through digitization.

Quoting recent statistics, Dr. Saeed highlights that approximately 210 million people in Pakistan lack access to basic healthcare facilities. In response to this challenge, Sehat Kahani has connected a substantial network primarily consisting of female doctors to patients in remote areas of Pakistan. Dr. Saeed, along with co-founder Dr. Iffat Zafar Agha, successfully secured seed funding of US$ 500,000 in 2018, followed by a pre-series of $1 million in March 2021.

The app, launched with around 60 doctors in 2019, has evolved into Sehat Kahani, now comprising a robust network of over 7,000 doctors. Notably, 90% of these doctors are women, and approximately half of them are home-based female doctors who have re-entered practice after taking a break due to marriage and childbirth.

The Shortage of Female Doctors in the Field Due to Majority Becoming ‘Doctor Brides’

Dr Saeed first saw the impact that the shortage of doctors in the workforce was having while training in a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city.

“I saw a lot of patients coming from rural areas with issues that could have been handled at a primary care level. But because they didn’t have doctors in their communities – because such a majority of our workforce sits at home and doesn’t work – they came to the hospital with end-stage diseases that could not be cured but just managed [instead].”

It is a highly known fact that a large majority of female doctors in Pakistan end up becoming a part of the doctor bride phenomena. The raised status a doctor’s degree produces more reputable proposals for girls. These young doctors are married off right after graduation and do not enter the field, thus creating a huge gap in the market. Sehat Kahani allows these female doctors to provide consultations from the comfort of their homes.

Also Read:

Rolex Award for Enterprise Assist Extraordinary Individuals Globally

Instituted in 1976, these Awards were established to assist extraordinary individuals globally, particularly pioneers facing limited or no access to conventional funding. These individuals respond to significant challenges with inventive and ground-breaking projects, contributing to the progression of human knowledge and well-being. Sehat Kahani was also backed by the Rolex Award for Enterprise which enabled it to facilitate over 1.1 million consultations and setup 65 online clinics.

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Sehat Kahani
BusinessHealth & BeautySuccess Stories

Pakistani Women-Led Startup ‘Sehat Kahani’ Makes it to Forbes’ Top 100 Companies to Watch

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Pakistani startup Sehat Kahani is no new name. The startup made waves when it penetrated the market as an e-health solution to providing top-notch healthcare to people in remote areas with limited to no access and fighting against the social issue of ‘doctor bahu’.

Now, this amazing women-led startup has made it to the Forbes’ Top 100 Companies to Watch list! The list focuses on companies that are on the rise across the Asia-Pacific region.

The list represents 15 countries and territories across 11 categories that include biotechnology and healthcare, e-commerce, finance and more.

This year, most of the companies that made it belonged to Singapore which has become a hub. In order to qualify for the honour, companies have to be headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region, have private ownership, operate for profit, have more than $50 million in annual revenue, and have no more than $100 million in total funding through August 1.

Pakistan’s Nabaa Naveed Becomes First International Student Selected for CRISP Cancer Research Program

Forbes takes everything into account from the company’s track record for revenue growth to their market performance, region impact, ability to attract funds, and more.

This one-of-its-kind venture was founded by Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram in 2017. Its key backers include 10Pearls Ventures, Elahi Group, Impact Investment Exchange, the Islamic Development Bank and even Microsoft South Africa.

The app is free to download and is available on both the Google and App Stores respectively. Through it, you can make appointments for consultation, find your medical history, afford quality healthcare, can use it on the go, after office hours, or any time you please.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Stay tuned to WOW360 for more news and updates.

Rozina Karmaliani is Pakistan’s First-Ever Nurse to Make it into the American Academy of Nursing

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pakistani entrepreneurs
BusinessStartups

5 Pakistani Women-Led Startups That Are Making Waves

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Women entrepreneurs, female CEOs, female partners, mothers, sisters, daughters, boss lady, is there any role a woman can’t fill? The answer is NO!

We can go about raving about the amazing work of our fellow Pakistani women, but words would fall short. However, we can certainly say that these women are inspirations and role models for the upcoming generation.

It was a hard task to select which women-led startups had inspired the most. Hence, even though all of them do, today we will talk about 5 Pakistani women-led startups that are making a difference in the world.

5 Pakistani Women-Led Startups That Are Making Waves

1. Sehat Kahani

Sehat kahani

Source: Tech in Asia

Sehat Kahani has become a well-known name across the county. The startup focuses on proving a solution that caters to the popular ‘Doctor Bahu’ concept we often hear about in Pakistan. According to the Medical Council of Pakistan, more than 50% of female doctors drop out of work after getting married.

In many households, despite living in a progressive time and era, women are expected to stop working and stay at home, taking care of the husband, in-laws, family members, and children. However, Sehat Kahani has provided a unique opportunity for these women, a work from home solution.

The digital platforms allow patients from all corners of the country to connect with any doctor in just 60 seconds. Moreover, it gives freedom and empowers the doctors and other female members who are associated with the platform, giving them livelihood.

2. Xera | Curvy & Co.

Xera curvy & co.

Source: Dr Zehra Hussain

Dr. Zehra Hussain is a proud curvy lady who encourages inclusivity through her platform, Xera. She is Pakistan’s first body activist who is helping thousands of women feel comfortable in their own skin. Moreover, helping change the perception of healthy women in society without fat-shaming.

Hussain shares:

I always wanted to represent the plus-size/curvy women of Pakistan in a positive light and making an inclusive platform through Facebook groups was one way to do it. XERA Curvy & co, my pioneering, rtw brand was another.
Both these entities tackled body shaming and size inclusion in the fashion industry. Because people were sharing their body image issues and shaming stories on the platform, and simultaneously getting access to proper sized clothing, I realised its importance.

The start-up is not just a support page where women speak out about their issues but is also a brand that provides these amazing ladies plus-size clothes as per their given measurements. It is a safe space for women who are looking for fellows who can relate to their situations and possibly provide them with advice and solutions.

Pakistani women would message me from all over the world to appreciate the space where they have gained so much confidence just to live daily lives! A relatable platform for women where we can all uplift and accept each other, especially regarding our bodies was much needed.

We are happy to see that Pakistanis have finally begun to accept themselves with the help of such platforms.

5 Pakistani Women in Business & Technology Who Are Changing the World

3. Fresh Basket

fresh basket

Source: The Nest I/O

Meet Shafaq Sewani, the co-founder of Fresh Basket. As per Sewani, her startup is Karachi’s ‘first agri-retail chain which promotes healthy eating’ by providing easy access to fresh, natural and hygienic produce and pantry items. It initially started off as a small bakery in 2018 and grew, today, it has 3 branches.

However, just like other women, Sewani also found it a tough task to maintain a healthy work-life balance. In an interview with a local newspaper, she shared:

Finding a good work-life balance is a prominent struggle faced by many, including me. Women often feel more conflicted between work and family life due to social and cultural norms.

She was inspired by her husband. She says “He always talked about how the good quality products that businesses export directly from the farms are never available in our [local] markets. So, one fine day I decided to quit my job and work full time towards this goal and the rest is history.”

4. Polly & Other Stories

Polly & other stories

Source: Polly & other stories

Polly & other stories is a colourful startup which was founded by Amneh Sheikh Farooqui. The store houses and curates artisan-made products all across Pakistan. Online and physically present, the platform is enabling 1,200 artists and 92 small businesses.

Women in Pakistan have to work harder to be taken seriously, especially if you’re in a sector like craft which is seen as soft, feminine and even redundant. Breaking into the e-commerce space is a challenge too, as it has always been male-dominated. It is much harder to raise funds as a woman — most woman-led businesses in Pakistan are small or micro-businesses and get overlooked for funding and support.

-Amenah Sheikh Farooqui

5. Edjunction

Arusha Imtiaz

Source: Daraz

Founded by Arusha Imtiaz, Edjunction is an educational platform that helps parents stay in touch with school teachers to learn about their child’s progress. Previously, Imtiaz has worked with Franchere and many local and international organizations on educational solutions.

Pakistani Women Entrepreneurs to be Promoted in Upcoming Budget 2022-23

Tell us which woman-led startup inspires you the most.

Stay tuned to WOW360 for all the latest news and updates.

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WhatsApp Image 2022 01 26 at 2.23.44 PM
NewsThe Body

Under PM Imran Khan’s Sehat Card, Women from Islamabad, AJK, and GB will have access to Gynae, Obstetrics and Breast Cancer Screening

by Sahrish Shakeel
written by Sahrish Shakeel
Under the Prime Minister Imran Khan Naya Pakistan Qaumi Sehat Card, families will have access to health insurance cover of up to Rs 1 million a year.

The health insurance cards will be available to the citizens of Islamabad, Azad Jammu, Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan from the 26th of January. Soon, other regions will have access to it too.

For years, we have heard that people in foreign countries can seek medical treatment immediately if required due to the insurance available to people. However, in Pakistan, no such facility was available to the common man, especially those who live in rural areas,  for years, and so often, medical attention was never given on time, costing people their lives.

The Naya Pakistan Qaumi Sehat card will truly revolutionize the country’s medical sector. Under the Sehat card, women will have access to Gynae and Obstetrics under the basic treatment. Under the advanced treatment, women will have access to Breast Cancer Screening.

This facility will be available at government hospitals and private hospitals. As per the Sehat card plus site, below are some of the services included in the provided packages:

Basic Treatment: Rs. 200,000 – All the secondary health care services normally provided at secondary level private and public sector hospitals, including DHQ and THQ hospitals

The services may include but are not limited to:

  • Accidents and emergencies
  • General Medicine
  • General Surgery
  • Orthopedics
  • Gynae and Obstetrics
  • Pediatrics
  • Ophthalmology and
  • ENT

Advanced Treatment: 400,000 – Accident and Emergency (All the medical/surgical emergency care which can’t be provided in secondary care hospitals)

  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Complications of Diabetes
  • Management of all types of Cancers
  • Management of Genito-urinary diseases including Dialysis and Transplant
  • Management of Neurosurgical diseases
  • Complications of secondary care diseases/procedures needing referral to tertiary care hospitals
  • Artificial limbs (Prosthetics)
  • Breast Cancer Screening

Additional Coverage: Rs. 400,000

  • Cancer treatment (Chemo, Radio, Surgery)
  • Kidney transplant
  • Accident & emergency
  • ICU care

To check out the exclusion list, please visit https://sehatcardplus.gov.pk/coverage/. The official website also has information on what hospitals you can visit, how many families are already enrolled, a helpline number, frequently asked questions, and more.

This Documentary Showcases Women from Local Communities of Pakistan Doing Eco-Friendly Jobs Under PM Imran Khan’s 10 Billion Tsunami Project. Read the full story here:

Pakistan has been recognized as a Global Leader for protecting the environment by tackling climate change and is honored to host the World Environment Day by the United Nations for 2021. A documentary has been released on World Environment Day by the Prime Minister’s Office that showcases women from local communities of Pakistan doing eco-friendly jobs under the 10 billion Tsunami Project.

This Documentary Showcases Women from Local Communities of Pakistan Doing Eco-Friendly Jobs Under PM Imran Khan’s 10 Billion Tsunami Project

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments section below.

For more news and updates, stay tuned to Wow 360.

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Dr. Iffat
FeaturedSuccess StoriesTrailblazer

Dr. Iffat Zafar Becomes First Pakistani Women to Bag The Elevate Prize Foundation Award 2020

by Laiba
written by Laiba

Dr. Iffat Zafar, the founder of Sehat Kahani, a telemedicine app, bags the Elevate Prize Foundation Award 2020. She has become the first Pakistani female to receive this prestigious award. Her project, Sehat Kahani, won among 1,300 participants from around 119 countries.

The Elevate Prize Foundation tweeted: “#ElevatePrize winner @DrIffatZafarAga, founder of @AppSehat, is #empowering women expanding #healthcare access through #telemedicine in #Pakistan. “The way forward is a very different #Pakistan, where #healthcare is accessible to everyone…”

Edinburgh Global eHealth, where Dr Iffat is currently a commonwealth scholar, congratulated her in a tweet: “Congratulations to our Global eHealth student  @DrIffatZafarAga on winning the MIT #ElevatePrize! Iffat is co-founder of @SehatKahani, which provides #telehealthcare services to the medically underserved in rural Pakistan. @mscehealth”

Social Innovation Lab also congratulated Dr Iffat for becoming the first female recipient of this award in Pakistan!

Dr Iffat Zafar’s Remarkable Work 

Dr Iffat Zafar is the co-founder of the telemedicine service, Sehat Kahani. The services accommodate patients with affordable healthcare consultation online and empower women doctors. It provides them with a digital medium to practice medicine, otherwise restraining from working outside of the house following long-standing traditions in Pakistan.

According to Pakistan Medical and Dental College, females make up 60% of the students graduating from medical college, yet 77% of these female graduates exit the workforce within the upcoming years due to social-cultural barriers resulting in gender inequality. 

Sehat Kahani is a mobile application that connects patients with healthcare practitioners on audio/video calls. Other than that, the application records the history and chat of the patient with the practitioner.

The platform had provided 260,000 consultations during 2020 when the pandemic wreaked havoc in our lives. This was the time when everyone’s finances were restraint, and patients were scared to visit the hospital as they feared they’d catch the deadly coronavirus.

Acknowledging The Elevate Prize Foundation Award, Dr Iffat Zafar Aga, Co-founder & COO Sehat Kahani said,” After winning the Prize I feel ecstatic – for the first time a woman from Pakistan winning the Prize feels great – it also adds an element of further responsibility on me and my organization to ensure we can give back to the community and the entire country and make more avenues for healthcare access within Pakistan.”

The Elevate Prize Award has granted funding of $5 million along with mentors from across the world. 

Every year, The Elevate Prize Award searches for a total of 10 devoted leaders ready to change the world! The organization provides assistance and sources to promote their influence internationally.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comment section below.

For more news and updates, stay tuned to Wow 360.

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