ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Ufone announced a new initiative on Mother's Day 2026 to provide free mental health consultations to mothers across Pakistan, in collaboration with Oladoc, a digital health platform. This groundbreaking initiative, titled #MoreSupportForMothers, aims to address the issue of postpartum depression, which affects approximately 40% of new mothers in the country.

According to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, the initiative will offer free access to certified psychiatrists through the UPTCL app, making mental health support more accessible to mothers, especially in remote and rural areas where such resources are scarce. Pakistan currently faces a significant shortage of mental health professionals, with only 0.19 psychiatrists available per 100,000 people, and mental health receives only 0.4% of the total health budget.

The partnership leverages PTCL and Ufone's extensive telecom infrastructure and Oladoc's network of healthcare professionals to provide a service accessible to mothers without any prior diagnosis or referral. The service, available on both iOS and Android platforms, aims to reach every corner of Pakistan, extending beyond urban centers to include remote communities.

This initiative reflects PTCL and Ufone’s commitment to social responsibility by addressing an urgent need in the country's maternal mental health landscape. While acknowledging the broader systemic issues in mental health care, the initiative provides an immediate resource for mothers needing support. Through this service, PTCL and Ufone are turning connectivity into a conduit for care, offering hope and help to mothers facing mental health challenges.