ShifaNext: see a PMDC-verified doctor online, from anywhere in Pakistan

Every doctor is verified — and interviewed

Trust is everything in healthcare, so ShifaNext doesn't let just anyone list themselves. Every doctor is registered with the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC), has their documents checked by ShifaNext's clinical team, and is interviewed on video before they're approved. Their PMDC registration number is shown on their profile, so you can check it on the PMDC register yourself.

There are 20+ verified doctors on the platform today, and the number is growing.

Finding the right doctor

• Search by symptom in English, Urdu or Roman Urdu — type "bukhar", "سر درد" or "fever" and ShifaNext suggests the relevant specialities.
• Filter by speciality, or search for a doctor by name.
• Not sure who to see? A Family Physician recommendation points you to family medicine doctors first, so you don't pay specialist fees on a guess. You can still book any specialist directly.
• Clear profiles — photo, qualifications, specialities, PMDC number, years of experience, consultations completed, ratings and reviews from other patients, and the fee.
• Favourites — star the doctors you like; they sync across your devices.

Two ways to consult

Book ahead. Every open slot across the next four weeks is shown on one screen. Consultations are 30 minutes, and your chosen time is held for you while you pay, so nobody else can take it. All times are shown in Pakistan time (PKT) — clearly labelled for patients booking from abroad. You'll get a reminder about 10 minutes before.

Call now. When a doctor has switched on their availability, they appear under "Available Now". Tap Call Now, pay, and you're taken straight to the waiting room for a 15-minute consultation at the doctor's normal fee. If the doctor can't pick up, the call stays open and either of you can call back within 24 hours — if it never connects, you're refunded automatically.

During and after your consultation

• HD video and audio in a private, encrypted call room, right in your browser.
• Private chat with your doctor from the moment you book — text and photos — which stays open after the call so you can ask follow-up questions.
• A digital prescription with diagnosis, medicines (generic name, dose, frequency, duration), advice and a follow-up date, downloadable as a PDF on the doctor's own letterhead with their PMDC number.
• Referrals — if you need a specialist, your doctor can refer you, and a single tap takes you to doctors in that speciality.
• Your history — all your prescriptions in one place.

Clear pricing and fair refunds

Signing up is free. Each doctor sets their own fee, and the price you see is the price you pay — no booking fee, no surcharge. You pay upfront in rupees through PayFast using your bank account, debit or credit card, or mobile wallet. Your card and account details are entered with PayFast and never stored by ShifaNext.

• Cancel any time before the consultation starts — full refund, automatically.
• Doctor doesn't join? Full automatic refund.
• Something else went wrong? Request a review from the consultation screen within two business days.

No app download needed

ShifaNext works in any modern browser — on your laptop, an Android phone or an iPhone. An Android app is coming soon. On iPhone, tap Share → Add to Home Screen so you receive reminders and incoming-call alerts.

For doctors: practise online on your terms

ShifaNext is built for doctors as much as patients. If you're a PMDC-registered GP or specialist practising in Pakistan:

• Keep 85% of your consultation fee (tax is withheld by law on fees above Rs 3,000).
• Set your own fee and your own hours, and switch on "I'm available now" whenever you have free time.
• Patients pay upfront, and you're paid to your bank account twice a month, with a clear statement for each payout.
• See your take-home before you set your fee — the estimate uses the same calculation as real payouts.
• Write prescriptions and referrals during the call, issued on your own letterhead.
• A one-time onboarding fee of Rs 2,000 — waived when a colleague refers you.

What ShifaNext is — and isn't

ShifaNext is a communication platform that connects you with independent, verified doctors. It is not a diagnostic tool, and it is not for emergencies. If you or someone near you has chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke, severe bleeding or any other emergency, call 1122 or go to the nearest emergency department straight away.