Pakistan’s healthcare system grapples with a profound social and cultural paradox. Women now make up a large majority of medical graduates often outnumbering men significantly in medical colleges yet around 35% of female doctors remain unemployed or inactive.
Of over 100,000 female medical graduates living in Pakistan, many step away from clinical practice due to marriage, family responsibilities, societal expectations, safety concerns, and limited mobility, especially in conservative or rural settings.
This “doctor bride” phenomenon wastes substantial public investment in medical education while worsening Pakistan’s doctor shortage. Rural areas suffer the most, with patients particularly women and children who culturally prefer female providers struggling for timely care. At the same time, nearly 4,000 doctors emigrated in 2025 alone, further straining the system.
Sehat Kahani, a pioneering telemedicine platform, turns this challenge into opportunity. Co-founded in 2017 by Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram (CEO) and Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga (COO), the company empowers home-based female doctors to deliver quality care remotely while making healthcare affordable and accessible across Pakistan.
The Social and Cultural Context: Bridging Gaps for Women Doctors and Patients
In Pakistan’s family-centric society, many highly qualified female doctors pause or leave their careers after marriage due to long hospital hours, lack of flexible options, and domestic pressures. This not only limits their economic independence but also deprives millions of patients of trusted care.
Sehat Kahani addresses both sides of the equation: it reactivates skilled female doctors through flexible remote work from home and connects them to underserved patients via technology.
The platform’s hybrid model combining a mobile app with nurse-assisted E-Health Clinics — ensures care reaches low-income and rural communities where physical access is difficult.
Sehat Kahani’s Impact: Key Stats and Achievements
Since its launch, Sehat Kahani has grown into a comprehensive digital health ecosystem offering 24/7 consultations (chat, audio, video), home lab tests, medicine delivery, mental health support, and corporate wellness programs.
Key highlights include:
- A network of over 7,500 qualified healthcare professionals (majority women)
- 65+ nurse-assisted E-Health Clinics nationwide
- Millions of consultations delivered
- Service to over 110 corporate clients
- Reactivation of thousands of female doctors into the workforce
During COVID-19, the co-founders led rapid scaling: free consultations, a national helpline, and Tele-ICUs in partnership with UNDP and the Ministry of National Health Services.
Meet the Co-Founders: Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram and Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga
Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, brings over a decade of experience in digital healthcare. She has led Sehat Kahani’s vision, strategy, funding, and partnerships, helping the company become the first all-female-led Pakistani startup to raise a $2.7 million Series-A round.
She has received notable recognitions including Rolex Awards for Enterprise (Associate Laureate 2019), Ashoka Changemakers, and the HUM Women Leaders Award 2026.
Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer, is a physician with an MBBS from Ziauddin Medical University and an MSc in Global E-Health from the University of Edinburgh. She has built and scaled seven key verticals including E-clinics, mobile app services, B2B offerings, and home healthcare.
Together, they have created a women-led platform that challenges cultural barriers, generates economic opportunities for female doctors, and delivers millions of consultations to underserved populations.
Global Spotlight: The 2026 Harvard Case Study
In January 2026, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published the case study “Sehat Kahani: Digital Health Transformation in Pakistan.”
Authored by Bukhtawar Azhar, Che L. Reddy, and Professor Rifat Atun, the study examines the company’s founding story, strategic pivots, COVID response, and expansion plans in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The case prominently features both co-founders and is now used at Harvard as a teaching tool on digital innovation and inclusive healthcare solutions.
Why Sehat Kahani Matters for Pakistan
By blending technology with a deep understanding of local social realities, Sehat Kahani demonstrates how startups can deliver both profit and purpose.
It reduces pressure on the public health system, creates dignified jobs for women doctors, and improves healthcare access for millions especially in underserved communities.
Experience the impact yourself: Visit sehatkahani.com for instant, affordable consultations.
FAQs
What problem does Sehat Kahani solve?
It addresses the high inactivity rate among female doctors while improving healthcare access for underserved communities through telemedicine.
Who founded Sehat Kahani?
Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram (CEO) and Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga (COO).
What is the Harvard connection?
Sehat Kahani is featured in a 2026 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health case study on digital health transformation in Pakistan.
