Pakistan Medical Association Calls for Mobile-Based Digital System to Modernize Government Hospitals

Report by Farzana Chaudhry, Lahore, Pakistan

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has urged the government to introduce a comprehensive mobile-based application system in government teaching hospitals to streamline patient care and hospital management processes.
Prof. Dr. Shahid Malik, President of PMA Lahore, highlighted that billions of rupees previously invested in hardware and conventional software systems have failed to deliver sustainable results due to poor planning and inefficient implementation.
“In many hospitals, expensive computers, printers, and other equipment become non-functional within a short period, resulting not only in financial loss to the national exchequer but also serious inconvenience for patients and healthcare staff,” Dr. Malik stated.
Proposed Mobile-Based Solution
The PMA has proposed the development of a centralized and secure mobile application that would be linked to the smartphones of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff. The system would enable real-time updates for:
Patient admissions and discharges
Medicine supply management
Laboratory test results and reports
Patient follow-up records
Medical documentation
According to Dr. Malik, a mobile-based system would prove more cost-effective, faster, and reliable compared to traditional computer-based infrastructure. The digital platform would enhance transparency, reduce operational costs, and ensure timely delivery of healthcare services to patients.
Call for Modern Healthcare Infrastructure
The PMA President urged the government and relevant authorities to embrace modern digital technologies and implement a durable, secure, and user-friendly system across government teaching hospitals.
“This step would bring real improvement to Pakistan’s healthcare sector and benefit both medical professionals and patients,” Dr. Malik emphasized.
The proposal comes at a time when healthcare digitization is gaining momentum globally, with mobile-based health management systems proving successful in improving efficiency and patient outcomes in various countries.