Revolutionizing Rural Healthcare: Telemedicine Comes to Buner

In a major step toward modernizing rural healthcare, Buner’s tehsil headquarters hospital is launching a telemedicine program focused on pediatric care. This initiative promises to bridge the gap between remote communities and top-tier medical specialists across Pakistan.

The 42-bed public hospital, which gained national attention for its heroic response during August’s flash floods, is now turning to technology to serve its youngest patients. With around 300 children visiting the outpatient department daily, the need for specialized care is urgent—and telemedicine is the answer.

Medical Superintendent Dr. Syed Imtiaz Ali Shah shared that doctors based in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar will examine children live via camera. These virtual consultations will allow specialists to recommend tests and prescribe treatments without requiring families to travel long distances.

The program is backed by the Child Life Foundation, which signed a memorandum of understanding with the health department to support the initiative. A trained health worker will be available from 2pm to 8pm to collect and transmit vital signs—such as temperature, weight, and pulse—so that pediatricians can make informed decisions in real time.

This move is expected to reduce the burden on families who currently travel to Swat, Mardan, or Peshawar for specialized care. It also aligns with the hospital’s broader goal of upgrading from a Category D to Category C facility, which would elevate its medical officers to district specialists.

Currently, the hospital has 32 doctors, 28 paramedics and nurses, and 16 support staff. While it offers services in gynecology, surgery, cardiology, dermatology, and more, a nursery ward for newborns remains a critical need.

Staff training for telemedicine is already underway, and officials from the health department are optimistic. They believe this program will deliver efficient, low-cost, and reliable healthcare to underserved areas. Patients will be able to sit in front of a camera and consult with specialists on large LCD screens—bringing expert care to their doorstep.

The technology even allows remote doctors to hear chest sounds through digital stethoscopes and review ultrasound reports. More advanced equipment and web-based software are also on the horizon, ensuring that Buner’s children receive the care they deserve.