AHTF’s Telehealth Services Expansion to Benefit Over 11 Million People in Afghanistan
Educast Partners with Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund to Uplift Healthcare in Afghanistan
Telehealth Expansion Project to Benefit Over 11 Million People
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 9, 2024 – The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), mandated by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to facilitate the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF), has announced a collaboration with Educast (Pvt) Ltd to enhance telehealth capabilities across Afghanistan.
This initiative, funded by the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF) – facilitated by the Islamic Development Bank – is a contribution by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) and marks the launch of Phase II of the Telehealth Education and Clinical Support Facilities Expansion Project.
Building upon the success of the first phase funded by IsDB, the project expands the pilot from 6 locations to an additional 14 locations. It aims to develop the capacity of selected hospitals and medical centers to deliver high-quality healthcare services in a comprehensive, cost-effective, and sustainable manner.
The initial pilot intervention successfully introduced telehealth in six key regional hospitals: Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Zabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Khost. It provided critical medical assistance to thousands of people, highlighting the power of telemedicine to overcome limitations in resources and geography.
Phase II Aims for Dramatic Expansion
Phase II strives to significantly expand telehealth services, reaching 14 additional provinces and bringing modern medical care to millions more. Key objectives include:
Extending telehealth services to 14 new provinces.
Training 3,500 local doctors, leveraging the expertise of doctors trained in Phase I.
Equipping teaching hospitals in each new provincial capital.
Providing advanced training and support for Afghan doctors in targeted locations.
Conducting sessions with overseas experts to support daily clinical work and consultations.
Ensuring smooth project execution and management.
Grant Funding to Fuel Project Activities
With grant funding from AHTF complemented by Educast, the following activities will be carried out:
Developing an online education portal.
Creating high-quality medical content in Dari and Pashto, the local languages.
Establishing telehealth equipment at 14 locations.
Supporting operations at 14 locations for 12 months.
Engaging 12 international specialists and trainers.
Expanded Services to Reach Millions
The expanded telehealth services will encompass 14 new provinces, benefiting an additional 11.753 million people:
Lashkar Gah (Helmand)
Parwan (Charikar)
Laghman (Mihtarlam)
Kunar (Asadabad)
Ghor (Chaghcharan)
Kunduz (Kunduz)
Faryab (Maymana)
Takhar (Taloqan)
Baghlan (Puli Khumri)
Sar-e Pol (Sar-e Pol)
Badakhshan (Fayzabad)
Jowzjan (Sheberghan)
Ghazni (Ghazni)
Paktika (Sharana)
A Significant Step Forward
Phase II represents a significant leap forward, utilizing technology to elevate healthcare standards in Afghanistan. This initiative guarantees that patients receive top-notch medical care, regardless of their location.
The Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund and Educast (Pvt) Ltd are dedicated to enhancing healthcare quality and empowering Afghan doctors through this groundbreaking telehealth project.
With Gratitude to Our Partners
We express our sincere gratitude for the generous contributions of our partners: the exceptional contribution from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), facilitated by The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The project is being implemented by Educast (Pvt) Ltd.
Educast: Bringing Telehealth to War-Torn Yemen
Pakistan’s Telehealth Leader Extends Care to Mothers and Children in Yemen
EDUCAST, a leading Pakistani telehealth technology organization, is making a significant humanitarian impact in Yemen. Following their successful implementation of maternal and child telehealth services in Pakistan, they’ve expanded their reach to war-torn areas of Yemen, a country facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
Saving Lives Through Technology
In Yemen, mothers and babies are particularly vulnerable. Statistics from UNICEF reveal that one in 37 newborns die within the first month, and one in every 260 women dies during pregnancy or childbirth.
EDUCAST, in collaboration with partners, is leveraging technology to save lives. They’re providing telehealth services to pregnant women and infants in war-affected zones like Maarib, Shugra, Zanjibar, and Hadramaut. These services are delivered by a network of female doctors based in Pakistan and around the world.
The Maternal and Child Telecenter (MCT): Making a Difference
The MCT, established in January 2021 by EDUCAST Society, has already served over 200 patients in just over a week. These free consultations are a testament to EDUCAST’s commitment to accessible healthcare.
EDUCAST’s Global Network of Female eDoctors
Founded in Pakistan in 2016, EDUCAST has grown into a vast network of female eDoctors. They collaborate with academic partners like Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi, MedRet Academy UK, MedSmarter USA, and DOGANA (Dow Graduate Association of North America) to offer specialized online training programs, leading to certifications for these doctors. With over 1000 female doctors in their platform, EDUCAST is making a significant impact.
Islamic Development Bank: A Crucial Partner
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has played a vital role in supporting EDUCAST’s efforts. Their grant for establishing the Maternal and Child Mortality prevention initiative through eDoctors proved invaluable. This funding helped recertify female doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing crucial support for the Sindh government facing a shortage of doctors for isolation monitoring.
Supporting Pakistan During COVID-19
EDUCAST stepped forward during the pandemic, offering its volunteer services and IsDB-funded technology platform to the Sindh government. Over 450 female eDoctors assisted with home isolation monitoring, contact tracing, and monitoring efforts. This initiative successfully managed over 150,000 COVID-19 positive patients.
Stanford University: Recognizing Innovation
EDUCAST’s innovative approach to healthcare caught the attention of Stanford University’s Center for Medicine. Stanford’s faculty provided a six-week online training program, equipping the eDoctors with the latest CDC and WHO guidelines for COVID-19 care. These eDoctors, based across the US, Canada, Germany, Malaysia, the Middle East, and Europe, provided remote support to the Sindh government’s COVID-19 home isolation initiative.
Responding to the Call from Yemen
Yemeni organizations approached EDUCAST seeking help with maternal and child mortality rates due to limited access to healthcare and training for frontline workers. Leveraging their IsDB-funded platform, EDUCAST established a multipurpose telehealth center in war-affected areas. This center provides healthcare services to those in need and training for female healthcare workers on the ground.
A UN-Recognized Initiative
Spearheaded by MedRet Academy, the Yemen “maternal & fetal wellbeing” initiative was presented at a high-profile session at the 2021 UN WSIS (World Summit of the Information Society) annual virtual conference. This session focused on using technology to address contemporary healthcare challenges, particularly in developing nations.
Connecting Patients and Doctors Across Borders
At EDUCAST’s operational hub in Karachi, an Arabic and English-speaking coordinator connects patients with the teleclinic in Yemen. There, women doctors from Pakistan and 15 other countries provide free online consultations and treatment using advanced medical equipment.
“The response has been overwhelming,” says Abdullah Butt, CEO of EDUCAST, highlighting the project’s success.
EDUCAST’s story is one of innovation, collaboration, and a deep commitment to improving lives through technology. Their work in Yemen exemplifies their dedication to extending healthcare access to those who need it most.