Submitted
2025 Global Health Challenge

AtPulse(AP)

Team Leader
Anam Hijab
AtPulse is a culturally intelligent mobile platform for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) management that bridges Danish clinical excellence with the realities of underserved communities in Pakistan. It translates world-class protocols—such as those from Denmark—into spiritually resonant, low-literacy-friendly tools for rural and urban users. How It Works: AtPulse uses AI to generate personalized rehabilitation pathways aligned with Islamic practices: Prayer-Aligned...
What is the name of your organization?
AtPulse
What is the name of your solution?
AtPulse(AP)
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
AtPulse reimaging diabetes management
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Karachi, Pakistan
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
PAK
What type of organization is your solution team?
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
AtPulse directly addresses the escalating burden of diabetes and its complications in underserved populations, focusing on patients in urban Karachi’s public cardiac hospitals who often travel from rural areas. Diabetes now affects nearly 589 million adults worldwide, with South-East Asia facing a projected 73% increase by 2050. In Pakistan, over 30% of adults are living with diabetes, and this number is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades. The core problem is the high rate of preventable complications within diabetes patients—especially cardiovascular disease, which accounts for the majority of diabetes-related deaths. Most patients lack access to affordable, culturally relevant rehabilitation and self-management tools, resulting in late diagnoses, frequent hospitalizations, and high out-of-pocket costs. Women and low-income groups are disproportionately impacted, mirroring global patterns where nearly half of people with diabetes lack essential health services. By targeting gaps in post-discharge care, health literacy, and culturally adapted rehabilitation, We aim to reduce readmissions, improve recovery, and make chronic disease management accessible for the most vulnerable—addressing a crisis that affects 1 in 4 adults in Pakistan and is rapidly growing across the region and the world
What is your solution?
AtPulse is a culturally intelligent mobile platform for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) management that bridges Danish clinical excellence with the realities of underserved communities in Pakistan. It translates world-class protocols—such as those from Denmark—into spiritually resonant, low-literacy-friendly tools for rural and urban users. How It Works: AtPulse uses AI to generate personalized rehabilitation pathways aligned with Islamic practices: Prayer-Aligned Recovery: Rehab milestones are tied to spiritual values like sabr (patience) and shukr (gratitude), with exercises timed around daily prayers. Complication-Specific Protocols: Cardiovascular: Ruku/sujood movements used in graded rehab. Neuropathy: Wudu rituals monitor sensory response via water sensitivity. Retinopathy: Quranic reading tracks visual acuity improvements. AI Predictions: Early CVD risk detection (12–18 months in advance) using retinal scans and symptom patterns. Technology & Impact: AtPulse blends machine learning with culturally adapted interfaces—voice logs, visual guides, and faith-linked prompts—to deliver WHO-grade care. This model has reduced rehabilitation abandonment by 40% and hospital readmissions significantly. The Bridge: We’re transferring Denmark’s clinical rigor to Pakistan’s grassroots—proving that spiritually framed, AI-powered care can transform health outcomes and scale across faiths and geographies.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
AtPulse serves underserved adults in Pakistan managing diabetes and cardiovascular disease, focusing on three high-need groups: Urban Patients: Middle-aged adults (50–59), juggling work and caregiving. Many have smartphones but limited income (30% earn <$100/month). Rural Communities: Older adults (60+), often illiterate (30% no formal education), sharing phones in large households. Faith leaders are key sources of health guidance. Refugees: Afghan patients with disrupted care, low digital literacy, and strong religious adherence—85% prefer voice tools over text. Culturally Aligned Care: Rehabilitation plans are synchronized with prayer times and framed through Islamic principles like sabr (patience) and shukr (gratitude), making clinical routines emotionally resonant. Voice-First Tools: Designed for low-literacy users, AtPulse enables audio logs, guided instructions, and visual prompts—critical for accessibility. User Story: Aisha*, a 58-year-old homemaker with diabetes and hypertension, often puts her family’s health first. AtPulse helps her track progress using spiritual rewards and become a mentor in her home. Women like Aisha, often the gatekeepers of household health, are empowered to care for themselves too. AtPulse bridges medical science and cultural reality—empowering marginalized users to take control of their health with dignity and consistency.
Solution Team:
Anam Hijab
Anam Hijab
FOUNDER/CEO