In a rare telecom-led healthcare initiative, PTCL and Ufone have joined hands with oladoc to provide free mental health consultations for new mothers across Pakistan, spotlighting postpartum depression and the country’s widening mental health crisis.

The initiative, launched on Mother’s Day under the campaign #MoreSupportForMothers, allows mothers to access free consultations with certified psychiatrists through the UPTCL mobile application in collaboration with digital healthcare platform oladoc.

The campaign comes as mental health experts continue to warn about the growing burden of postpartum depression in Pakistan, where awareness and access to professional support remain limited. According to figures highlighted in the campaign, nearly 40% of Pakistani mothers may experience postpartum depression — significantly above global averages.

Pakistan also faces a severe shortage of mental health professionals, with only 0.19 psychiatrists available per 100,000 people, while nearly 90% of individuals requiring mental health treatment reportedly receive no professional care.

Through the partnership, mothers will be able to consult psychiatrists remotely without visiting clinics or hospitals, an approach aimed at reducing barriers linked to stigma, travel and affordability. The service will be accessible through the recently launched UPTCL app, which combines PTCL and Ufone digital services into a unified platform.

PTCL Group said the initiative reflects a broader shift in how telecom companies are positioning themselves beyond connectivity services toward social impact and digital wellbeing. The company has recently expanded several inclusion-focused initiatives, including women empowerment and digital literacy programmes across Pakistan.

The move also signals growing interest in digital healthcare solutions in Pakistan, where telemedicine and app-based mental health services are increasingly being viewed as scalable alternatives in underserved regions. Recent international studies have shown that mobile-based mental health interventions can improve parental wellbeing and access to support services.

With mental health discussions still considered taboo in many households, the campaign is being seen as an attempt to bring postpartum depression into mainstream conversation while offering immediate access to professional help for struggling mothers.