Telenor might enter the health segment of Pakistan through digital health initiative, tonic

Just this week, Telenor Global entered into digital health arena by launching their first ever solution in Bangladesh. This strategic move has been made by the telecom giant to reach millions of users in the emerging markets.

Their health initiative named as “Tonic” is a complete digital solution starting from prevention focused digital content to phone-based primary care information. It also has details of insurance and discounts for different hospitals. Overall, the digital platform is a well-rounded solution for every person’s personal health care and needs.

Keeping Bangladesh a hotbed for testing, the telecom company will be eyeing different economies in Asia, including Pakistan. If the solution works well in Bangladesh, it is expected that Telenor will launch the same health care initiative here as well.

While speaking to local media, Sajid Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Telenor Health said,

‘We have decided to focus on Bangladesh in the initial phase. However, if it is a success in Bangladesh, we will consider launching it in other countries as well, including other Telenor markets’. He further added, “In Pakistan, Telenor is already looking into some smaller scale health initiatives.”

Pakistan is the 6th most populous country in the world. It is a huge market yet to be thoroughly tapped in health and education segments. Although, there are new health startups spouting in different cities of the country, but those products are still at infancy stages and there is no clear winner yet. Telenor might partner with one of these younglings to explore the health sector or go full gun blazing into direct competition.

Although, it is too early to deduce something but it wouldn’t be wise to ignore it as a competitor to local health initiatives. The giant just recently launched a flurry of new products at their first-ever Digital Festival too.