Sehat Kahani: Virtual Genetic Care and Counseling

The lack of access to genetic health services and the resulting diagnostic delay for individuals living with rare diseases in Pakistan is a significant problem that affects a substantial portion of the population. With over 220 million people in the country (Population Fund UN 2022), the scale of this issue becomes apparent when considering the prevalence of genetic and hereditary disorders, consanguinity rates, and the scarcity of specialized healthcare professionals in genetics.

Consanguinity, the practice of marrying close relatives, is prevalent in Pakistan, with an estimated rate of approximately 70%. This cultural practice contributes to an increased incidence of recessively inherited disorders. One such disorder is beta-thalassemia, a common genetic condition. In Pakistan, the carrier frequency for beta-thalassemia is approximately 5-7%, indicating that there are around 9 million carriers of this disorder in the population. This staggering number underscores the urgent need for accessible genetic health services and support.

The consequences of limited access to genetic health services are evident in the high incidence of infant mortality, congenital birth defects, and other health conditions associated with genetic disorders in Pakistan. The country faces a relatively high burden of these issues, including hemoglobinopathies, metabolic disorders, intellectual disability, bilateral hearing loss, and breast cancers. The absence of timely and accurate diagnoses exacerbates these conditions, leading to long-term health consequences for affected individuals and their families.

One of the key factors contributing to the diagnostic delay is the scarcity of clinical geneticists in Pakistan. The current medical genetics workforce is significantly understaffed, with only two formally trained geneticists practicing in Karachi, a city with a population of 15 million. This translates to a ratio of approximately one geneticist for every 7.5 million people in Karachi alone, let alone the entire country. The shortage of specialized healthcare professionals in genetics severely hampers the availability of accurate and timely diagnoses for individuals with rare diseases, prolonging their diagnostic odyssey and impeding access to appropriate care.

In addition to the shortage of clinical geneticists, the lack of access to genetic counseling exacerbates the problem. Despite an estimated three-quarters of rare diseases having a genetic origin, accessing appropriate genetic counseling services in Pakistan is challenging. The medical infrastructure in the country is characterized by limited publicly-funded health services, with a significant focus on infectious diseases. This de-prioritization of genetic health services may be due to cultural, socio-economic, and religious reasons. Consequently, a considerable proportion of patients with rare diseases are initially misdiagnosed, leading to frustration and exacerbation of their health conditions.

Furthermore, the absence of centralized, government-run prenatal and newborn screening programs for common conditions, including hemoglobinopathies and metabolic disorders, contributes to the lack of early detection and intervention. The lack of genomics infrastructure, patient registries, and population-specific databases further hampers effective management and research efforts related to rare diseases. Additionally, there is a lack of public awareness programs that could help educate the population about the importance of genetic health services and the benefits of early diagnosis.

Sehat Kahani's innovative pilot tackles the challenges of delivering genetic assessments and counseling for individuals with rare diseases by leveraging virtual tools and telemedicine platforms. The primary goal is to connect patients to rare disease specialists more efficiently, leading to earlier diagnosis and access to specialized care. One of the key features of the solution is the use of an automated clinical decision support system with advanced algorithms. This system analyzes patient data and medical histories, providing valuable insights and guidance to primary care physicians for accurate initial assessments.

To enable remote consultations, Sehat Kahani incorporates video appointments through secure and user-friendly conferencing platforms. This allows patients to have real-time consultations with rare disease specialists, eliminating geographical constraints and reducing the need for extensive travel. By connecting patients and specialists virtually, the pilot ensures timely and expert advice, expediting the diagnostic process and facilitating earlier intervention.

Efficient triage is another vital aspect of the pilot. Through a triage system, Sehat Kahani determines the urgency and severity of patients' conditions, prioritizing those with rare diseases. This ensures that patients receive prompt attention and appropriate referrals to genetic specialists. By streamlining the triage process, the pilot optimizes the utilization of limited healthcare resources and directs patients to the most suitable providers for their specific needs.

Addressing language barriers is a key focus of Sehat Kahani. The pilot aims to use technology for real-time translations, allowing global healthcare providers and patients to communicate effectively. Specialists from various countries can discuss the same patient, collaborate on diagnoses, and develop comprehensive treatment plans. Breaking down language barriers enhances coordination and knowledge exchange between specialists, ultimately leading to more accurate and timely care for individuals with rare diseases.

Furthermore, Sehat Kahani recognizes the importance of connecting patients to global genetic specialists. By establishing networks and partnerships with renowned experts worldwide, the pilot ensures that patients have access to cutting-edge genetic knowledge and expertise. This collaboration with global specialists enhances the diagnostic accuracy and provides patients with earlier access to specialized care. Through these connections, Sehat Kahani promotes the exchange of ideas and best practices, contributing to advancements in rare disease management and research.

In addition to virtual consultations, the pilot incorporates home healthcare services to cater to patients' needs. These services can include sample collection for genetic testing, monitoring of symptoms, and providing necessary support and education to patients and their families. By extending care to patients' homes, Sehat Kahani ensures convenience, comfort, and continuity of care throughout the diagnostic and treatment journey.

Sehat Kahani's solution serves individuals living with rare diseases in Pakistan by addressing the lack of access to genetic health services and the resulting diagnostic delays. The pilot's innovative approach incorporates various elements to improve the diagnostic journey and enhance patient care.

One significant aspect of the solution is the implementation of an intelligent triaging system. This system allows primary care physicians to collect and enter patient information using a user-friendly app. By streamlining the referral process and leveraging technology, clinicians can seek guidance from specialists and geneticists, including recommendations for necessary testing before the patient's first consultation. This intelligent triaging process helps filter out patients who may not have a rare disease, reducing unnecessary testing and ensuring the effective use of resources.

Telegenetic consultation plays a vital role in strengthening communication across the healthcare team. Specialists can engage in virtual consultations with primary care physicians and other healthcare providers, enabling the sharing of patient information and informed decision-making regarding diagnosis and care. By expanding communication channels and adding structure to the consultation process, the team can impart information more efficiently, ultimately leading to faster diagnoses and improved patient outcomes.

The use of telegenetic visits also enhances the current model of care. By providing initial insights into a patient's condition, potential diagnosis, and care plan, virtual visits help streamline subsequent in-person visits. This is particularly valuable during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as virtual consultations reduce the need for patients to physically visit doctors' offices or medical centers unless absolutely necessary.

Telehealth, through its virtual nature, contributes to cost reduction, improved access, and increased efficiency. Patients seeking care from clinical geneticists often face challenges such as transportation costs, missed work, and the need for frequent in-person visits. Additionally, the scarcity of specialists in rural areas makes access to care even more difficult for patients residing outside urban centers. The implementation of remote care through telehealth eliminates these added costs and burdens, making it easier for patients to access specialists and receive the necessary care. The pilot has demonstrated that virtual visits are shorter, more focused, and highly rated in terms of patient satisfaction.

Moreover, virtual visits provide a unique window into patients' lives, which enhances patient-provider communication. By observing patients in their home environments, healthcare providers can gain insights into their daily struggles and challenges. This enables more personal and honest discussions and helps build stronger connections between providers and patients. Providers can identify behaviors and patterns that may not be apparent in a clinical setting, allowing for targeted recommendations and interventions that can lead to improved health outcomes.

Sehat Kahani has been one of the pioneers in the telemedicine industry with a successful proof of concept. Since our 6 years in the industry, Sehat Kahani houses the largest network of 59 E-Clinics and more than 7500 health professionals trained to deliver remote health services via telemedicine. In addition, Sehat Kahani also has tapped into the highest corporate share with its mobile application currently available across 700  biggest industry magnets, Finca, and banks and now aims to expand its services as well as geographical spread across Pakistan. Sehat Kahani with a multi-population approach working on creating healthcare accessibility with the following distinctive key features: (1) The only cost-effective and sustainable telemedicine company focused on enabling access to qualified doctors, specialists, and mental well-being experts in far-flung communities using telemedicine technology while upgrading and utilizing existing infrastructure. (2) We have an extensive public partnership portfolio for our E-Clinic expansion with a reach of more than 700 corporations as our consumer base for our mobile application. (3) We have the first movers' advantage of being in the field for more than 6 years, piloting and iterating revenue streams, and treating actual paying customers. (4) The only organization which is striving to provide access to specialties in communities that were difficult for accessibility. (5) Only platform that houses more than 7500 healthcare professionals to deliver quality affordable remote telemedicine services. (6) Sehat Kahani is proud to be operated by one of the few female founders that have been recognized on a national and international scale for their social impact and health accessibility. (7) Sehat Kahani's team is representative of the communities it serves, and the company actively engages with these communities to understand their needs. The design and implementation of the solution are meaningfully guided by the communities' input, ideas, and agendas. The company works with local partners to ensure that it is providing the most relevant and effective healthcare services to these communities.

We are applying to the Prize because we believe that our solution, Sehat Kahani: Virtual Genetic Care and Counseling Platform, aligns perfectly with the goals and objectives of the 2023 Horizon Prize. As a telemedicine platform focused on delivering genetic assessments and counseling for individuals with rare diseases, we are committed to improving the rare disease patient diagnostic journey while addressing the environmental costs associated with healthcare.

One of the specific barriers we face is the inefficiency and expense of the diagnostic journey for rare disease patients. This often involves extensive travel, duplicative testing, and prolonged timelines, leading to increased costs, resource utilization, and carbon emissions. By leveraging virtual tools and telemedicine platforms, our solution aims to decrease the time, cost, resources, and duplicative travel and testing for patients and caregivers. By connecting patients to rare disease specialists remotely, we eliminate the need for extensive travel and reduce the associated carbon footprint.

Another barrier we hope to overcome is the inefficiencies in clinical trials and research, including data collection and sharing. By incorporating advanced algorithms and automated clinical decision support systems, our platform optimizes the diagnostic process and provides valuable insights to primary care physicians. This not only expedites the diagnosis but also reduces the need for unnecessary testing and streamlines the research process, resulting in more efficient clinical trials and reduced environmental costs.

Additionally, optimizing transportation of supplies and treatments is crucial in reducing carbon emissions and improving sustainability. Our solution addresses shipping inefficiencies, cold storage, and last-mile delivery challenges by utilizing virtual consultations and home healthcare services. This minimizes the need for physical transportation of patients, samples, and supplies, thereby reducing carbon emissions associated with transportation and improving overall logistical efficiency.

By participating in the 2023 Horizon Prize, we hope to gain the financial, technical, and market support needed to further enhance and scale our solution. The Prize provides an opportunity to showcase our innovative approach to rare disease healthcare and sustainability, attracting potential partners, investors, and collaborators who can contribute to the development and expansion of our platform. Additionally, the recognition and validation from the Prize will help us overcome potential legal and cultural barriers, opening doors for collaborations and partnerships with regulatory bodies and healthcare stakeholders.

Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga, the Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Sehat Kahani, has strong connections to the community in which the project is based. As a prominent figure in the field of digital health and telemedicine, she has actively engaged with national and international platforms, sharing her expertise and insights on healthcare innovation and access.

Dr. Iffat Zafar has been invited as a speaker at prestigious national and international events, both physical and virtual, to discuss the role of Sehat Kahani in digital health and its impact on healthcare accessibility. She has delivered keynote speeches and participated in panel discussions at events such as the Grand Challenges Canada Annual Meeting, APPNA Annual Symposium, Transform Academy Event, and the World Bank Human Capital Summit, among others. Her speaking engagements highlight her deep understanding of the healthcare challenges faced by the community and the innovative solutions offered by Sehat Kahani.

Additionally, Dr. Iffat Zafar has received recognition and awards for her work in the field of healthcare innovation. She has been honored with the MIT Elevate Prize, Heroines of Healthcare Award at the World Health Summit, Tie Singapore Women's Global Competition, and the GBH Health - FutureUnited Provocatour Award, to name a few. These accolades showcase her dedication to improving healthcare and her strong connection to the global healthcare community.

Furthermore, as a Commonwealth scholar and a recipient of the Global Challenges Canada Innovator award, Dr. Iffat Zafar has been actively involved in global accelerators and collaborations. Her participation in programs such as SPRING Accelerator, MIT Enterprise Forum Pakistan, and Engro I am Change Awards reflects her commitment to driving positive change in healthcare on a global scale.

Dr. Iffat Zafar's connections to academia are also noteworthy. She has been invited to speak at renowned universities such as the University of Health Sciences and the London Business School, sharing her knowledge and experiences in the field of digital health and telemedicine. These engagements demonstrate her commitment to fostering collaboration between the academic and healthcare communities.

Through her leadership role at Sehat Kahani, Dr. Iffat Zafar has established a network of 49 E-Health centers across Pakistan, providing access to healthcare services in underserved communities. The organization's mobile application has over 2 million users, and Sehat Kahani has successfully conducted 3.2 million consultations to date. This widespread reach and impact are a testament to Dr. Iffat Zafar's deep connection and engagement with the communities in which Sehat Kahani operates.

Our solution is innovative and sustainable because it uses telemedicine and virtual tools to connect patients with rare disease specialists, providing earlier diagnosis and specialized care. By leveraging advanced algorithms and automated clinical decision support systems, Sehat Kahani's platform enables primary care physicians to analyze patient data and medical histories, leading to accurate initial assessments and reducing the need for unnecessary testing.

The virtual nature of Sehat Kahani's solution overcomes geographical constraints and eliminates the need for extensive travel, making it easier for patients to access rare disease specialists. This significantly reduces the time, cost, and resources associated with the diagnostic journey, benefiting both patients and caregivers. Additionally, the platform incorporates a triage system to prioritize patients with rare diseases, ensuring they receive prompt attention and appropriate referrals. This optimizes the utilization of limited healthcare resources and directs patients to the most suitable providers for their specific needs.

To further enhance patient care, Sehat Kahani incorporates home healthcare services into its solution. By providing in-home care, patients with rare diseases can receive personalized attention and support in the comfort of their own homes. This eliminates the need for frequent hospital visits and improves patient outcomes by ensuring continuity of care. Home healthcare services can include medication management, monitoring of vital signs, assistance with activities of daily living, and patient education.

Sehat Kahani's solution also addresses language barriers using technology for real-time translations. This allows healthcare providers and patients from different countries to communicate effectively, collaborate on diagnoses, and develop comprehensive treatment plans. Furthermore, Sehat Kahani's partnerships with global genetic specialists enable patients to access cutting-edge knowledge and expertise. This collaboration has the potential to drive advancements in rare disease management and research, benefiting not only the patients served by Sehat Kahani but also the broader rare disease community.

The solution's sustainability lies in its cost-effectiveness, scalability, and environmental impact. Sehat Kahani's telemedicine model reduces the carbon emissions associated with healthcare by minimizing the need for physical transportation of patients, samples, and supplies. It optimizes the transportation of supplies and treatments by utilizing virtual consultations and home healthcare services, improving logistical efficiency and reducing environmental costs.

Sehat Kahani's innovative approach has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts in the field of rare disease healthcare. By demonstrating the effectiveness of telemedicine and virtual tools in delivering genetic assessments and counseling, Sehat Kahani can influence other organizations and stakeholders to adopt similar models. This can lead to a paradigm shift in the market, where virtual care becomes the norm for rare disease diagnostics and management, improving access and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. The platform's automated clinical decision support system streamlines the research process by providing valuable insights and data. This not only expedites the diagnosis but also reduces the need for unnecessary testing, making clinical trials more efficient and cost-effective. The platform's data collection and sharing capabilities can contribute to the development of population-specific databases and research initiatives, driving advancements in rare disease management and genomics research.

Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are aimed at creating a transformational impact on the lives of individuals with rare diseases. To ensure accountability and transparency, we will measure our progress quantitatively. In the next year, we aim to expand our telemedicine platform and reach an additional 100,000 patients with rare diseases, providing them with accessible healthcare services. Over the next five years, our goal is to increase our reach and serve a total of 1 million patients, including those in remote and marginalized communities.

Early diagnosis and specialized care are crucial for individuals with rare diseases, and we are committed to improving these aspects. In the next year, we strive to ensure that at least 80% of patients using our platform receive early diagnoses and appropriate referrals to specialized care. This percentage will increase to 90% over the next five years, reducing delays in diagnosis and enhancing access to specialized care.

Building strong partnerships and networks is essential for the success of our mission. In the next year, we plan to establish collaborations with at least 10 rare disease specialists and 50 primary care physicians, expanding our network of healthcare providers. Over the next five years, we aim to further grow our network by partnering with 50 rare disease specialists and 200 primary care physicians across different regions, enabling comprehensive care for our patients.

Research and knowledge exchange play a vital role in advancing rare disease understanding. In the next year, we aim to contribute to at least three joint research projects with renowned research institutions or genetic centers, focusing on rare disease management and genomics research. Over the next five years, we aim to increase the number of joint research projects to at least 10, fostering knowledge exchange and driving advancements in the field.

Advocacy and policy changes are crucial for improving rare disease healthcare. In the next year, we will participate in three policy discussions or conferences to advocate for increased funding and policy reforms. Over the next five years, we aim to contribute to the formulation of two policies or guidelines related to rare disease management and secure increased funding from government or private sources.

To ensure the effectiveness of our initiatives, we will establish a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system. This system will track key indicators such as patient satisfaction rates, healthcare outcomes, and healthcare resource optimization. By regularly evaluating our progress, we can make data-driven improvements and ensure that we are making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with rare diseases.

To measure our progress toward our impact goals, we have established a robust monitoring and evaluation framework that tracks various indicators. These indicators provide us with quantitative data to assess our performance and ensure that we are making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with rare diseases. While some indicators align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we have also customized indicators specific to our solution's objectives and target population. One key indicator we use is the number of patients reached and served. We track the number of individuals with rare diseases who have accessed our telemedicine platform and received healthcare services. This indicator allows us to gauge our reach and assess our ability to provide accessible care to those in need. Additionally, we measure the percentage of patients who are diagnosed at an early stage, enabling timely interventions and specialized care.

Patient satisfaction rates are another important indicator we measure. Through feedback surveys and patient testimonials, we collect data on the satisfaction levels of our patients regarding the quality of care, accessibility, and overall experience with our platform. This indicator helps us assess the effectiveness of our services and make necessary improvements to enhance patient satisfaction. Healthcare outcomes are critical for measuring the impact of our solution. We track indicators such as improvement in disease management, reduction in hospitalizations or emergency visits, and overall health outcomes of patients using our platform. By monitoring these indicators, we can determine the effectiveness of our interventions in improving the health status of individuals with rare diseases.

To evaluate the utilization of healthcare resources, we measure indicators such as the reduction in unnecessary testing and the optimization of referral pathways. By tracking these indicators, we assess our ability to streamline the diagnostic journey and ensure that patients receive appropriate referrals to specialized care. This helps in minimizing resource wastage and optimize the use of limited healthcare resources. In terms of partnerships and collaborations, we measure the number of rare disease specialists and primary care physicians we have onboarded into our network. This indicator reflects our ability to establish strong partnerships and expand our healthcare provider base, which in turn enhances the quality and comprehensiveness of care we offer to patients.

Advocacy and policy impact is also measured through indicators such as the number of policy discussions or conferences attended and the formulation of policies or guidelines related to rare disease management. By tracking these indicators, we evaluate our contribution to policy changes and increased funding for rare disease healthcare. Additionally, we consider indicators related to environmental sustainability. We track the reduction in carbon emissions associated with the physical transportation of patients, samples, and supplies through the utilization of our telemedicine platform. This indicator helps us assess the environmental impact of our solution and highlights the benefits of virtual care in terms of reducing carbon footprint.

Our solution aims to have a significant impact on the problem of limited access to healthcare for individuals with rare diseases. The theory of change behind our approach is rooted in several key factors: Firstly, by leveraging telemedicine and virtual tools, we aim to overcome geographical barriers and connect patients with rare disease specialists. This enables individuals, regardless of their location, to receive timely and specialized care from experts who may be located far away. By eliminating the need for extensive travel and reducing the associated costs and time, our solution improves access to care for individuals with rare diseases. Secondly, through the use of advanced algorithms and clinical decision support systems, we empower primary care physicians to make accurate initial assessments and reduce the need for unnecessary testing. This not only saves time and resources but also expedites the diagnostic process. By enabling early diagnosis, our solution can facilitate timely interventions and personalized treatment plans, leading to improved health outcomes for individuals with rare diseases.

Moreover, our platform incorporates a triage system that prioritizes patients with rare diseases, ensuring they receive prompt attention and appropriate referrals. By optimizing the utilization of healthcare resources, we enhance the efficiency of the healthcare system and direct patients to the most suitable providers for their specific needs. This helps in reducing delays in care and ensuring that individuals with rare diseases receive the specialized expertise required for their condition. Additionally, we provide home healthcare services as part of our solution. This includes offering in-home consultations, monitoring, and support for individuals with rare diseases who may have difficulty traveling or require ongoing care in their own environment. By bringing healthcare services directly to their homes, we improve accessibility and convenience while ensuring continuity of care.

Furthermore, our solution addresses language barriers through real-time translation technology. This enables effective communication and collaboration between healthcare providers and patients from different countries. By breaking down language barriers, we promote knowledge exchange, enhance coordination, and facilitate comprehensive treatment plans for individuals with rare diseases. Moreover, our partnerships with global genetic specialists play a crucial role in our theory of change. By connecting patients to renowned experts worldwide, we ensure early access to specialized care and foster the exchange of ideas and best practices. This collaboration has the potential to drive advancements in rare disease management and research, benefiting not only the individuals served by our platform but also the broader rare disease community.

Our tech-based solution is powered by a sophisticated and multifaceted core technology that encompasses various aspects of artificial intelligence (AI). By leveraging AI algorithms and models, we have developed an advanced framework that revolutionizes the way healthcare is delivered and experienced, particularly in the context of rare diseases. At the forefront of our solution is the integration of AI into telemedicine, enabling remote consultations between patients and healthcare providers. Through the use of AI algorithms, we can capture and analyze real-time audio and video data, extracting valuable insights and facilitating accurate diagnoses. These algorithms are continuously refined through machine learning techniques, allowing them to adapt and improve their performance over time. By harnessing the power of AI in telemedicine, we break down geographical barriers, providing individuals with rare diseases access to specialized care and expertise regardless of their location.

One of the key applications of AI within our solution is automated clinical decision support. By leveraging vast amounts of medical data, including patient records, research findings, and clinical guidelines, AI algorithms assist healthcare providers in making informed decisions about diagnosis and treatment. These algorithms can quickly analyze complex data sets, identify patterns, and provide recommendations based on evidence-based knowledge. This not only enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the diagnostic process but also reduces the need for unnecessary testing, minimizing costs and streamlining healthcare delivery. Language barriers often pose significant challenges in healthcare, especially for individuals with rare diseases seeking specialized care. To overcome this hurdle, our solution incorporates advanced natural language processing (NLP) algorithms. These algorithms employ deep learning techniques to comprehend and translate spoken or written language in multiple languages. By facilitating real-time translation and interpretation, we enable effective communication between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring that critical medical information is accurately conveyed and understood.

Data analytics plays a crucial role in our solution, empowered by AI-driven algorithms. Through the application of machine learning, we analyze large-scale patient data, including electronic medical records and other healthcare datasets. By identifying patterns, trends, and risk factors associated with rare diseases, we derive valuable insights that inform clinical decision-making and personalized treatment plans. This data-driven approach enhances the quality of care provided to individuals with rare diseases and contributes to ongoing research and advancements in the field. The security and privacy of patient data are paramount in our solution. We employ advanced encryption techniques and robust access controls to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information. AI algorithms are also utilized for anomaly detection, proactively monitoring for any unusual activities or potential security breaches. By implementing state-of-the-art security measures, we instill trust in our platform and safeguard patient privacy. Scalability is a fundamental aspect of our core technology. Through the utilization of cloud computing and distributed computing technologies, our solution can handle increasing volumes of data and user interactions efficiently. This scalability allows us to accommodate the growing demand for our services and ensures a seamless user experience for both patients and healthcare providers.

Full-time Staff: 120

Part time Staff: 5

Interns and Fellows: 20

Sehat Kahani has been actively working in the telemedicine industry since last 6 years.

At Sehat Kahani, we are deeply committed to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work. We believe that diverse perspectives and inclusive practices are essential for addressing the healthcare needs of marginalized communities and ensuring equitable access to quality care. Our leadership team exemplifies diversity and gender parity. We are proud to have women occupying roles at every level of our organization, with 90% of senior leadership and 75% of the core team comprising women. This commitment to women's leadership not only reflects our values but also provides a platform for diverse perspectives and lived experiences to shape our strategies and decision-making processes. In designing and expanding the scope of our implementation, we strive for gender parity in data collection and utilize new data-gathering tools to capture a comprehensive understanding of our beneficiaries particularly children and women's health outcomes and challenges. We also actively engage with the community, conducting awareness campaigns to educate women about the benefits of telemedicine and encouraging them to become early adopters of this innovative approach.

Collaboration with women experts in technology and healthcare is another aspect of our approach. We seek partnerships with companies, academic institutions, and intergovernmental organizations that share our commitment to women's leadership and participation in health tech. By leveraging these collaborations, we can create an ecosystem that supports and accelerates women's representation and influence in the field of healthcare technology. In our pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusivity, we recognize the importance of addressing unconscious gender bias within the healthcare system. We develop training programs that specifically address this issue for healthcare providers, ensuring that they are equipped to provide unbiased and equitable care to all patients. Additionally, our research efforts focus on understanding and raising awareness of the gender disparities in health outcomes, shedding light on the gaps that need to be addressed.

When implementing our telemedicine services in targeted communities, we prioritize gathering evidence and feedback from our potential beneficiaries. Through pilot testing, focused group discussions, and direct communication, we identify pain points, breakdowns, and barriers that patients, providers, and staff may face in accessing and using telehealth services. This feedback informs our continuous improvement efforts and helps us design and implement enhancements to ensure a seamless and user-friendly experience for all. We also engage in ongoing feedback sessions and in-depth interviews with our end-users to gather insights and understand their challenges in using our solutions. This user validation process enables us to make necessary modifications to improve the interface, effectiveness, and user experience of our technological solutions.

By fostering diverse teams that encompass gender, ethnicity, training, and background diversity, we not only enhance the inclusivity of our organization but also improve the impartiality of the data upon which care decisions are based. This, in turn, increases the uptake of our services by our end-users and contributes to the overall success of achieving our desired vision.

Service A: E-health clinics: Focused on low-income communities where nurse intermediaries connect patients to online doctors using telemedicine software.

Service B: E-health mobile application: A mobile application platform that provides quality health coverage in the absence of alternatives. Through this application, users obtain quick consultations with general & specialist doctors along with keeping track of their health history & obtaining digital prescriptions remotely.

• B2B Application: Corporates/Insurance take SehatKahani services for their employees & dependents on an annual retainer basis for consultations, counseling, diagnostics,& medicine delivery.The most winning product which will be a means for enabling scale-up in other geographies which benefits Sehat Kahani by an instant 2 to 10-fold increase in the Per Consultation Price. 

  • Service B-a-1: E-Pharmacy: An online portal integrated with the Sehat Kahani telemedicine system that offers accredited Rx and OTC products across Pakistan for corp beneficiaries. 

  • Service B-a-2: Claim Management: SehatKahani provides access to online telehealth services to expedite access to medical care and facilitate the claims process.

• B2C Application: Individual consumers can avail SehatKahani App for consultations, diagnostics,& medicine delivery.

  • Service B-b-1: Intermediary Assisted Model: Sehat Kahani will expand its hybrid telemedicine model that relies on both remote clinical consultation by doctors and in-person accompaniment by LHWs. Under the DTC, Sehat Kahani aims to expand this service whereby a network of 100 lady health workers will be trained across the country to deliver Sehat Kahani telemedicine solutions using their phones during their door-to-door visits. For women needing extensive services, these LHWs can refer to already established Sehat Kahani E-Health centers or to the nearest healthcare facility and/or pharmacies, and follow up after the telehealth service.

  • Service B-b-2: Home Healthcare: Sehat Kahani provides access to online telehealth services coupled with home healthcare services through a Network of Nurses, Physiotherapists, and speech therapists catering to Critical care, geriatric care, and palliative care at home for patients who cannot be managed in a hospital setting.

• B2B2C Application: Sehat Kahani is integrated within third-party applications e.g. banking apps such as HBL providing consultations to their consumers.

Service C: 24/7 Helpline: Sehat Kahani also offers a 24/7 helpline for beneficiaries that serves as a tele-triage service to be utilized by beneficiaries to access health-related information & can also provide information regarding available doctors and specialists based on their existing symptoms.

Sehat Kahani's plan for achieving financial sustainability revolves around a robust business model and strategic initiatives that capitalize on the innovative pilot for genetic assessments and counseling. Our goal is to establish a self-sustaining ecosystem that generates revenue while delivering high-quality care to individuals with rare diseases. First and foremost, Sehat Kahani aims to generate revenue through the provision of virtual consultations and specialized healthcare services. By leveraging our telemedicine platforms and advanced clinical decision support system, we can connect patients with rare disease specialists efficiently. Through video appointments and real-time consultations, we eliminate geographical barriers and reduce the need for extensive travel, ensuring timely access to expert advice. By charging a fee for these services, we create a sustainable revenue stream that supports the ongoing operation of Sehat Kahani. Furthermore, our plan includes the incorporation of home healthcare services to cater to the diverse needs of patients with rare diseases. By extending care beyond virtual consultations, we offer services such as sample collection for genetic testing, symptom monitoring, and comprehensive support to patients and their families. These additional services create revenue opportunities and enhance the overall patient experience, promoting long-term sustainability for Sehat Kahani.

Sehat Kahani also incorporates B2B partnerships as a key aspect of its financial sustainability plan. We recognize the value of targeting corporate clients and insurance companies to provide comprehensive healthcare services to their employees and dependents. Through this B2B model, we offer an annual retainer basis, where companies pay for access to Sehat Kahani's telemedicine consultations, counseling, diagnostics, and medicine delivery services. This approach not only diversifies our revenue streams but also allows us to reach a larger user base through strategic partnerships with organizations that have a vested interest in the health and well-being of their workforce. Furthermore, Sehat Kahani aims to integrate its telemedicine services with third-party applications to maximize reach and generate additional revenue. By collaborating with popular platforms such as banking apps or other health-related applications, we can embed our services seamlessly, providing users with convenient access to our healthcare solutions. This integration opens up opportunities for user subscriptions or transactional fees, contributing to the financial sustainability of Sehat Kahani. Through these partnerships, we enhance the visibility and accessibility of our services, reaching a wider audience and driving growth.

Investment and fundraising also play a significant role in Sehat Kahani's financial sustainability plan. We actively seek investments from venture capital firms, impact investors, and development sector organizations. These strategic investments provide us with the necessary capital to enhance our technological infrastructure, expand our marketing efforts, strengthen our HR capabilities, and support regional expansion. Our successful track record of previous funding rounds and the support from renowned institutional investors demonstrate the viability and potential of our business model, making us an attractive opportunity for future fundraising activities. By leveraging these partnerships, we can enhance our revenue streams, expand our reach, and solidify our position as a leading provider of genetic assessments and counseling for rare diseases.

Sehat Kahani has previously raised a seed round of $500,000 in 2018 and a Pre-Series A round of 1.2 million $ in 2021.In these rounds, Sehat Kahani has been supported by institutional investors and Development Sector  Organizations such as the Islamic Development Bank, Mentors fund, Impact Innovation Exchange, The Ventures, USAID, DFID, GSMA funds, Ten Pearls Ventures, KASB, Din Group, and Elahi group to name a few. Since its pre-series A round close, Sehat Kahani has grown 250% with 30% highest Month on Month growth trends achieved. Owing to our rapid growth trajectory across our three unique service lines, Sehat Kahani is currently raising its Series A funding round of 3 million.  $.500,000 is being given by a VC fund in Singapore headed by Dr. Raziuddin.500,000 is being given by existing shareholders of Sehat Kahani namely 10 pearl ventures, IIX, and KASB.600,000$ are being contributed by Grand Challenges Canada Transition to Scale funds. In totality,1.6 Million $ out of the 3M$ have been closed to date. We are looking to close the round in November 2022. We estimate that approx 2.5 Million Dollars out of 3 million $ of our round with foreign direct investment comes from investors based in the US and Singapore. The current round of funding will help us invest in Technology(12%),Marketing(25%),HR(18%),Infrastructure(27%) and regional expansion(18%). At the end of 18 months, this round will help us grow our GTV by 6X, Our users by 5X, and our consultations by 7X. In the next 5 years, Sehat Kahani will be able to provide 24 million consultations to 15 million plus users and create a GTV of 277 million $ along with reaching sustainability by 2024.