Maridol D. Ylanan, chief executive of Global Telehealth, Inc. which runs KonsultaMD, said telemedicine is a viable alternative to visits to hospital emergency rooms which should be reserved for more critical situations, especially as COVID-19 cases continue to escalate.
Telemedicine customers can have 24/7 access to doctors while ensuring that they are not at risk of getting or spreading any disease since there is no physical interaction with medical practitioners and other patients.
“KonsultaMD, for instance, has a team of doctors who are fully equipped with the knowledge on how to deal with various medical concerns including COVID-19. Through telephone triaging, the doctor can advise the customer whether they need to go to the hospital for further evaluation or testing,” explained Ylanan.
In other countries like the US, telemedicine is already viewed as a key tool to help fight COVID-19. The US National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also alerted US hospitals to be prepared to use this.
KonsultaMD introduced to the Philippines this innovative healthcare service five years ago. To access, dial 79880 toll-free from Globe or TM mobile phones, or (02) 7798-8000 from any landline.
Anyone may talk to a doctor to ask for medical information for primary conditions, maternity, pediatrics, mental health, COVID-19, health coaching, nutrition counseling, reading of laboratory and diagnostic results, and permissible medication, among others.
For unlimited immediate access to doctors 24/7, customers may opt for either an individual subscription fee of P15 a week or P60 a month for Globe Prepaid and TM customers, deductible from their prepaid load.
Globe Postpaid customers, on the other hand, may subscribe to a P99 per week plan which may be extended to one additional family member or P150 per month with four extensions, chargeable to their monthly bill.
Non-Globe and TM customers may also avail of KonsultaMD services through a one-year subscription of P150 per month for group or P60 a month for individual, payable via credit card or mobile money, and subject to regular cell phone charges if call is via mobile.
Go to www.konsulta.md/subscribe or call 79880 toll-free via mobile (for Globe/TM customers) or (02) 7798-8000 to subscribe.