Telemedicine is the remote delivery of healthcare services, such as health assessments or consultations, over the telecommunications infrastructure. It allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients using common technology, such as video conferencing and smartphones, without the need for an in-person visit.

Innovation in healthcare is providing the service providers an opportunity to enhance healthcare coverage. Primary Healthcare System in Balochistan has long faced deficiency of general and specialist healthcare providers. Telehealth gives an opportunity to provide quality healthcare services to the underserved areas of Balochistan. PPHI-Balochistan in collaboration with COMSATS Islamabad introduced Telehealth services in Balochistan. A successful pilot was implemented at BHU Shado Band Gwadar and BHU Wahdat Colony Quetta. Subsequently, Government of Balochistan approved and funded 04 telehealth clinics in Districts Washuk, Mastung, Jaffar Abad and Duki in 2020. Government of Balochistan later approved extension of telehealth service to all districts of Balochistan. In the second phase of the project, 09 further health facilities were commissioned by June 2021. A mobile telehealth unit started operations in October 2021. In phase 3, 05 health facilities were commissioned in the last quarter of 2022. 05 more heath facilities were commissioned in by April 2023. 

Telehealth offers effective tools for delivering healthcare services, and provides an opportunity to expand the reach and quality of primary healthcare. Offering specialist gynecology, pediatric and dermatology services. With an all-female panel of doctors, the vast majority of the rural female population shall have access to quality healthcare with the comfort of interacting with a Lady Doctor.

PPHI-B is responsible for provide primary healthcare services across Balochistan. Despite our best efforts, there exists a gap in the outreach and types of services being provided, with geographical and financial barriers access to general and specialist care is difficult in rural Balochistan. Main barriers to healthcare include deficiency of general and specialist healthcare providers, distances and costs of travel and care. Literacy in general and health literacy in particular plus limited clinical availability compounds the problem, as people do not realize the severity of illness in time.