RAWALPINDI: The district administration has decided to establish five model tele-clinics to provide modern treatment facilities to citizens.

Initially, the tele-clinics, affiliated with Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU), will be set up at five places in Rawalpindi.

Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq has tasked a private company with opening of the tele-clinics at the Basic Health Units (BHUs) of Rehmatabad, Kotha Kalan, Dhoke Mangtal, Dhama Syedan and Dhoke Mustaqeem.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Gen Zaheer Ahmed Jappa told Dawn that the company would establish the clinics with the help of RMU.

People would contact senior doctors through telephone who will then provide them guidance after listening to their symptoms.

It would be free of cost and people would not have to visit hospitals, he said, adding if a doctor considers it necessary they would call the patient to a hospital for tests.

He said tele-clinics have been operating in developed countries, including the United States, for a long time.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2020