KARACHI: A Pakistan-based global telehealth and online training technology provider has partnered with the Islamic Development Bank and Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund to deliver critical support to Afghans in need of medical and livelihood assistance in their country, according to a statement on Wednesday.
Karachi-based Educast is a digital health and education platform that provides virtual training and telemedicine services. The Fund, established by the Islamic Development Bank in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has sought its assistance to help Afghan nationals.
“The Islamic Development Bank and Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund have joined forces to provide critical humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, and their telehealth and clinical support program is making a significant impact,” said a statement released by the Pakistani firm. “Through its partnership with Educast … they’re able to reach remote and underserved areas.”
“The program’s operational details include deploying smart hubs for enhanced education, constructing and operationalizing health facilities, and providing essential health care services to vulnerable communities,” the statement added.
Educast said the key components of the programs include providing remote health services, training local health care professionals through online programs and setting up smart hubs to serve as educational facilities in 20 provinces of Afghanistan.
It also highlighted its aim to empower “thousands of Afghan female doctors,” medical students and health care workers in the field of digital health and telemedicine.
The statement informed the pilot phase of the project had already been carried out in six Afghan provinces, during which 1,000 consultations were provided, benefiting 5,000 individuals.
Educast also trained 1,500 local health care professionals, and work on setting up 20 medical education facilities is underway.
The statement further noted the partnership demonstrated the power of collaborative humanitarian efforts.
“The success of the pilot phase serves as a model for scalable, impactful interventions in conflict-affected regions,” it added.
Pakistan’s Educast partners with Islamic Development Bank to provide critical support to Afghans
https://arab.news/6k9wv
Pakistan’s Educast partners with Islamic Development Bank to provide critical support to Afghans
- Project plans to empower ‘thousands of Afghan female doctors’ in the field of digital health and telemedicine
- Educast provided 1,000 consultations during the pilot phase in six Afghan provinces, benefitting 5,000 people
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
