For many people, getting timely medical advice has never been easy. Cost, long waits, and gaps in the healthcare system often mean that questions go unanswered and care is delayed. These problems were already there, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought them into sharp focus, as large numbers of patients suddenly found themselves without access to a doctor when they needed one most.

During that period, a small volunteer effort called OnlineMD took shape. Doctors offered their time and expertise for free, providing physician-led consultations to thousands of patients who had no other option. What we saw was both sobering and motivating: the need was far greater than expected, and even simple medical guidance could have a real, immediate impact on people’s lives.

When the pandemic eased, the urgency faded from the headlines, but the underlying problems did not disappear. It became clear that the work couldn’t stop at a crisis response. SalamatMD was established to continue this work in a sustainable, ethical, and accountable way—expanding access to medical guidance through multiple approaches, while staying true to its public-interest mission.