DUHS Launches e-Doctor Phase 2.0 to Reintegrate Non-Practicing Female Doctors via Telemedicine

e-Doctor services have also been used on the Bridge platform to assist in elderly care.

By DTD- On May 17, 2025

KARACHI – The Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) has officially launched e-Doctor Phase 2.0, a transformative telemedicine initiative aimed at bringing thousands of non-practicing female doctors back into the healthcare system through virtual consultation services.

Initially launched in 2018 in collaboration with Educast, the e-Doctor programme was designed to train female MBBS graduates—many of whom had left the profession due to marriage or family responsibilities—to provide online medical consultations via smartphones. The initiative has now entered its second phase with expanded features and renewed support, including funding from the Islamic Development Bank due to its high potential and societal impact.

According to estimates, over 30,000 female MBBS graduates in Pakistan are not practicing, resulting in an annual economic loss of around Rs35 billion. The e-Doctor programme seeks to convert this dormant potential into active service by equipping doctors with modern skills and connecting them with patients across Pakistan and beyond.

In its first phase, the programme trained over 1,500 female doctors from 27 countries, in partnership with Germany and Stanford University. These doctors provided vital healthcare services in crisis zones like Afghanistan, Yemen, Palestine, and Pakistan, and played a key role in delivering emergency medical support during Pakistan’s floods through digital platforms.

e-Doctor services have also been used on the Bridge platform to assist in elderly care. The second phase of the programme includes online certification, observational training at partner clinics, and access to virtual clinics, allowing patients to consult doctors directly through smartphones.

Prof. Dr. Jahan Ara Hasan, Acting Vice Chancellor of DUHS, called the initiative “a movement,” emphasizing that it offers a dignified way for women doctors to reconnect with the medical profession and serve communities in need.

The programme represents a significant step toward bridging gender gaps in healthcare, enhancing access to medical services, and tapping into a vast pool of underutilized medical talent in Pakistan.