Today’s good news comes out of Pakistan, home of Malala Yousafzai, the girl who stared down the Taliban to get an education and was shot for her efforts. While the women in my story today aren’t facing gun violence, they are breaking new ground for women in healthcare.
Good News for Women
The number of female graduates of medical programs in Pakistan is higher than their male counterparts. So why are there so few female doctors in Pakistan?
“The long hours of a hospital professional are (considered) a taboo by the majority” – Dr. Sara Saeed Khurrum
That’s why Dr. Sara Saeed Khurrum and Dr. Iffat Zafar co-founded Sehat Kahani, a tele-health platform that serves low- and middle-income Pakistanis.
“Currently, 500 trained female doctors are part of our network and prior to this they were not working due to social pressures.” – Dr. Iffat Zafar
Good News for Communities
Sehat Kahani, which means “Story of Health” in Urdu, began in 2017 and has now spread to include fifteen e-health hubs across Sindh, Punjab, and KPK.
Dr. Zafar says the organization is now working on a smartphone app, which will help reach more communities without regular internet access.
Good News for the World
What does this mean for the world?
It means that women are now stepping up and making jobs for themselves where they are pushed to stay at home.
It means inspiration to future generations of girls who might want to raise a family and work, or work without having a family at all.
It means hope for girls (and boys!) all over the world that tomorrow will be even brighter for them. And I think that’s worth celebrating.
We Are The World Blogfest
If you found this piece of news heartening, and would like to take part in this blogfest, sign up in the WE ARE THE WORLD Blogfest Linky List below and please help spread the word on social media via the hashtag #WATWB.
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This is a lovely inspiring story thank you. Kudos to Dr. Sara Saeed Khurrum and Dr. Iffat Zafar who co-founded Sehat Kahani, to provide this tele-health platform serving those who can work from home –
Indeed. Thanks for the comment Susan!
This is really great, Adan. I like your headings too and that they are using tech apps to further this. Good for these Pakistani women. Thanks for sharing and supporting out WATWB.
Thanks Simon! Glad I could add a little good cheer to the world.
Thank you for sharing this positive news with us, Adan. 🙏 It is most heartening to know that several things are happening at the same time, and for the larger benefit of all in society, like the empowerment of women who are in turn addressing real life needs of people around them. I especially thank you for this positive news because Kerala state, in India, is experiencing an apparently ongoing strike by doctors and nurses, demanding better wages and conditions, and in the process, the suffering of those most in need of healthcare is being overlooked without a thought.
I’m glad I could bring a smile to your face and lighten your load. I know it’s hard for me to see others in need because workers are not being paid their fair share. I appreciate your thoughts!