Help us Build a Telehealth Clinic in Pakistan

Hi! My name is Shahaan Shafi, the President of the Infectious Prevention and Control Foundation USA chapter. The Infection Prevention and Control Foundation is a non-profit organization working to aid in the prevention in infectious diseases and promote preventive health in the United States and Pakistan. Currently, our organization consists of a youth-led chapter in the United States and a groundbreaking parent chapter in Pakistan.

As you all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the world around us. In fact, the impacts of the pandemic on Pakistan, a country already suffering from a weak healthcare system, are staggering. According to the World Health Organization, over 926,000 Pakistanis have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (as of June 2) with over 21,000 deaths. Furthermore, the pandemic has exposed the unsatisfactory condition of Pakistan's healthcare system. As of last August, there were only 14,000 beds in state and private-run hospitals in Karachi, Lahore, and the southern Sindh provinces. Consequently, despite constant pleas for assistance by the stricken Pakistani population, hospitals were unable to provide enough medical assistance.

In order to respond to such a crisis, the Pakistan chapter of the foundation made it its duty to spread the right information to the millions through running a COVID-19 information helpline for the public, issuing safety guidelines, sharing clinical knowledge through continuing medical education sessions, and providing personal protective equipment to hundreds of front-line healthcare workers. However, this only covers half of the foundation's efforts. In 2020 alone, the foundation trained hundreds of dental care professionals through a dental infection control training program and countless health care administrators through online certification courses in public health disciplines e.g. epidemiology, epidemic response, and disease surveillance.

Nevertheless, the pandemic has allowed us to realize the necessity for improved healthcare and innovative solutions in Pakistan. As a result, we are delighted to announce the planned construction of a telehealth clinic in Pakistan! So what is telehealth? Telehealth is the distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies. Essentially, telemedicine allows the patient to receive authentic care without having to be in the same room as a physician. With more than 150 million smartphone users in Pakistan, telehealth presents a exciting, cheaper, and innovate solution to the nation's healthcare crisis where over 80% of the population lacks access to specialized healthcare.

On the contrary, in order to build such a clinic, the foundation requires funds. Thus, we have set up the following GoFundMe in an effort to contribute to save thousands of lives and build a sustainable future in a better Pakistan. Please donate and feel free to share this with all of your friends!

The following below provides further details in regards to the clinic:

Disease Coverage: COVID-19, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Typhoid, TB, Dengue, Malaria, Tetanus, and Rabies.

Services: phone and video consultation, remote lab services, medication home delivery, education, and counseling.

How many patients will this clinic provide care to?

We estimate that the telehealth clinic will service approximately 20,000 patients every year.

For more information, check out our Instagram @ipac_usa2021 and visit our website at www.ipacfoundation.org!