'Together for a fairer, healthier world'

This was the theme for this year’s World Health Day.

Conventions were held all around the world urging leaders to ensure that everyone experiences living and working conditions that are conducive to good health, and that all people can access quality health services when and where they need them.

These demands, however, were not new.

The World Health Organization (WHO) constitution had already charted the right to health as one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction, in 1946. The right was also affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, citing the right to healthcare as a supreme human right.

But, in a world that is raging with inequalities of all shapes and forms, the right to health and access to adequate medical services seems to have been reserved only for the privileged, while the rest are conveniently stripped from this wealth. The situation in Pakistan is not any different.

A year with the pandemic has further exposed and exacerbated the deep-rooted socio- economic inequalities in the country, as whilst the virus has hit all regions hard, the impact has been harshest on those communities which were already vulnerable and were less likely to have access to quality healthcare.

While the reasons behind this are manifold, the most common social determinants of health inequities are poverty, lack of education, unavailability of adequate healthcare services, and the cultural and social stigma attached to certain health complications.

The result?

Despite being a country of more than 200 million people, a deplorable minority of the Pakistani population have access to primary healthcare services.

What is HumWell and how is it tackling the problem?

Noting the disproportionate access to medical services and the prevalent healthcare disparities in the country, a group of health professionals and technology experts came together and joined hands in a collaborative effort to bring primary health care to the general public at affordable costs.

HumWell, a product of their efforts, is an all-inclusive online patient care platform that enables individuals from all across Pakistan to reach out to qualified medical practitioners for their healthcare needs right from the comfort of their homes.

With the motto of Sehat Sub Kay Liay (health for all), the focus of HumWell services is on inclusivity where it addresses the needs of all; from the urban to rural segment, a mother to a father, a young kid to an aged person, and a woman to a man.

HumWell services are available round the clock – 24/7 – with a team of skilled and experienced doctors offering consultations virtually. The service allows its users to create patient accounts that house secured detailed medical records, family profiles, and clinical and laboratory tests archive, and also provides follow-up schedule management.

Affordable consultation packages and payment ease make the experience highly convenient and smooth. Upon signing up, users can enjoy one free doctor consultation.

HumWell Services can be availed via its mobile app, available both on the Apple Store as well as on the Google Play Store. Currently, it is available in English and Urdu with plans for bringing additional regional languages soon for maximum ease of understanding and inclusivity.   At a time when healthcare is suffering the most, HumWell is a ray of hope that promises a Pakistan where the right to health is a right, not a luxury.

The app is available on both App store and Google Play.

Head over to HumWell's official website for more details.

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