By Hifsa Raja ISLAMABAD, June 13 (INP-WealthPK): Telehealth facilities play an important role in dissemination of information about the maternal and child health issues, said Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch while speaking at the inauguration of a telehealth facility at CIS Technology Park, Islamabad. Hassan emphasized the necessity of transforming the health delivery sector of the country by utilising the digital infrastructure to provide connectivity between the health professionals and patients. ‘’It is high time for the preventive healthcare system to be focused on providing free counsel to the general populace and improving the overall quality of care provided throughout the nation,’’ he said. ‘’The Government of Pakistan is dedicated to providing equitable health facilities to the population living in the remote areas of Pakistan via free of cost medical advice as part of the telehealth programme,’’ he added. The minister appreciated the commitment and dedication to the prime minister for the less developed areas. He said Balochistan had the highest incidence of preventable deaths among mothers, children, and infants and it was the government’s top priority and vision to improve the province’s health care system. He said Balochistan suffered the most severe conditions. Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal and the BNP are focusing their efforts on the health issues that are currently plaguing Balochistan, he further said. New programmes and initiatives that educate women and their families about family planning and safe parenthood are being developed and implemented, he added. The minister further said that maternal and infant death rates could be lowered through early detection and treatment of obstetric and new-born problems. Hassan appreciated the mobile unit and said putting resources and hard work in the right place will surely result in something considerable. Jamal Nasir, Chief Operating Officer CIS Technology Park, gave a presentation about the BHUs for telehealth already established in collaboration with PPIH, which include BHU Duki Nasirabad, BHU Shadoband Gwadar, BHU Chowki Jamali, BHU Ashkan Rodini Mastung, BHU Wahdat Colony Quetta, BHU Washuk, BHU Habib Zai, BHU Bakhtiyarabad, BHU Kataghari Panjgor, BHU Lohi Lasbella, DHQ Musakhail, RHC Chagai, RHC Haji Sher, MCH Sohrab, DHQ Dera Bugti and Mobile Unit Quetta. The list of districts for phase III of telehealth services was also shared with the minister for science and technology including RHC Nasai Killa Saifullah, RHC Manjo Shori Naseerabad, BHU Jahangirabad Kohlu, BHU Khan Alam  Zhob/Sherani, BHU Jangal Kharan, BHU Pandhran Kalat, BHU Ghrumi Harnai, BHU Hiroonk Kech, RHC Mekhtar Loralai, RHC  Jhao Awaran and in Khuzdar, Barkhan and Noshhki districts. Talking to WealthPK, a senior doctor from the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Rawalpindi Khurrum-ul-Haq said, ‘’In order to better promote health and well-being, the digital health infrastructure plays an extremely significant role. It has the potential to revolutionise the way that we support individuals who are living with impairments, to cope with maternal and child health difficulties, and to manage chronic ailments.’’ He said though telehealth services had only been around for a relatively short time, they had the potential to play a significant part in the dissemination of knowledge. They will also help physicians to become more interested in their practice, which will result in a more positive experience for their patients, he added.