doctHERs ™ : Empowering Female Doctors in Pakistan
Start writing a post
Student Life

doctHERs ™ : Empowering Female Doctors in Pakistan

Feminism in a different form.

45
doctHERs ™ : Empowering Female Doctors in Pakistan
Unreasonable

Last week, while I was investigating gender equality and Pakistan’s medical professionals, I found that for various reasons, 70 percent of medical students are female, while only 23 percent of registered doctors are female. Around 50 percent of female doctors never work after graduating, largely because they get married. They are thus called “doctor brides."

However, Asher Hasan M.D. found a way combat this shortage by launching a venture called doctHERs ™ to “ensure these women are doctors long after they’re brides”. The telemedic scheme states it’s aim is “to connect female doctHERs ™ to millions of undeserved patients in real-time while leveraging technology," and thus allows female medical professionals to work from their own homes.

doctHERs ™ alleviates the negative externalizations of two market failures: the lack of public access to healthcare (for both male and female patients), and the lack of inclusion of qualified women in the workforce. Thus, it provides both employment for female doctors who are unable to practice due to social or family pressures, and healthcare for under-served patients.

The organization “circumvents socio-cultural barriers that restrict women to their homes” through the use of video conferencing, mobile and internet technologies. One particularly exciting aspect about it is that it targets rural dwellers who may be unable to access healthcare due to transportation issues. The value of quality healthcare without the burden of travelling from a rural to an urban setting cannot be overstated.

Patients can come to local telemedicine clinics to connect to the network, and doctHERs ™ provide consultations from their homes over an internet connection. Telemedicine clinics or “teleclinics” are staffed with nurses that coordinate with these doctors. Due to awesome technology, the doctor “has access to the clinic's diagnostic tools and can monitor her patients' vital signs remotely”.

The first clinic was founded on "May 11, 2015 in a middle-urban slum located next to the Karachi International Airport known as Model Colony” and several have been founded across Pakistan since then.

With regard to payment, the organization uses mobile banking technology as a digital payment solution.

Although it seems that some of Pakistan’s female doctors don’t have the freedom to choose to continue practicing in regular clinics outside their homes, I like to think of this organization as promoting feminism and giving women more autonomy to practice their profession as well as to balance work and family and even bridge the perceived gap between the two.

If you’re interested in helping the organization, doctHERs.com tells us how we can “adopt a clinic” or upgrade an existing one. The monthly operating cost (not including the initial upgrade) would be $1250 a month, and this amount would help an additional 600 patients. That comes to just over $2 per patient; perhaps this cause is one you might be interested in fundraising for!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

105586
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Birthday: Unveiling the Perfect Day to Celebrate!

Let's be real, the day your birthday falls on could really make or break it.

45151
​different color birthday candles on a cake
Blacksburg Children's Museum

You heard it here first: birthdays in college are some of the best days of your four years. For one day annually, you get to forget about your identity as a stressed, broke, and overworked student, and take the time to celebrate. You can throw your responsibilities for a day, use your one skip in that class you hate, receive kind cards and gifts from loved ones and just enjoy yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Unleash Inspiration: 15 Relatable Disney Lyrics!

Leave it to Disney to write lyrics that kids of all ages can relate to.

83237
The 15 most inspiring Disney songs

Disney songs are some of the most relatable and inspiring songs not only because of the lovable characters who sing them, but also because of their well-written song lyrics. While some lyrics make more sense with knowledge of the movie's story line that they were written for, other Disney lyrics are very relatable and inspiring for any listener.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments