ISLAMABAD: Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday announced the establishment of a secondary care hospital near Lohi Bher, aimed at improving healthcare access for residents of Zone V. The Basic Health Unit Bhukkar will be upgraded to provide secondary care services, reducing the need for patients to travel to major hospitals like PIMS and Polyclinic.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of the fifth Telemedicine Centre at BHU Bhukkar. Addressing the ceremony, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening primary and secondary healthcare services across the country while ensuring timely delivery of medical care to urban and rural populations.
Minister Kamal highlighted the growing patient burden on hospitals due to population growth and emphasised the role of telemedicine in providing efficient and quality healthcare. He said digital healthcare solutions allow patients in remote areas to receive consultations from qualified doctors without the need for their physical presence, improving access and reducing travel time.
The upgraded BHU Bhukkar will be staffed with trained medical personnel and connected to a network of 5,000 doctors nationwide providing online consultations from 9am to 6pm. Telemedicine centres also offer an opportunity for female doctors to re-enter the medical workforce from home, expanding service coverage and contributing to national healthcare objectives.
The minister emphasised that healthcare centres would focus not only on curative services but also on disease prevention, health awareness and community engagement. He highlighted ongoing vaccination campaigns against 13 deadly diseases, urging parents to ensure complete immunisation for their children to build a healthier and resilient society.
Dr Sara Saeed Khurram, co-founder and CEO of Sehat Kahani, praised the initiative, stating that expanding telemedicine services will allow more families to access reliable and timely healthcare. The government plans to continue opening additional digital healthcare centres to reach more communities and strengthen healthcare delivery across Islamabad.
