An hour everyday dedicated towards free online
consultations with leading doctors in the country across 20+ critical specialties
like gynaecology, pediatrics, dermatology
Hundreds of highly experienced
doctors from across the country and specialities, have joined hands with Practo , India ’s
largest Telemedicine company, to launch ‘India Health Hour’ -
a free online telemedicine solution for patients seeking quality care in times
of pandemic. Launched less than a week ago, the program has
registered thousands of free online doctor consultations, and
served close to 2500+ patients already. The team of highly experienced doctors
include Dr Gourdas Chaudhuri, Dr. (Prof) Padmashree J M Hans, Dr. Nandita P
Palshetkar, Dr Sharan Shivraj Patil, Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy, Dr Vishal Grover,
Dr Nishith Chandra, Dr Anjali Nagpal, Dr Sandeep Naik, Dr Paritosh Pandey, Dr
Prashanth S Urs, Dr Shekar Patil, and more, from hospitals and clinics like
Fortis Healthcare, Manipal Hospitals, Apollo Hospitals, HCG, Sakra World
Hospital, among others.
The program goes live
every day between 5pm - 6pm on Practo’s app/web. The move is aimed at
ensuring citizens have access to high quality care in these times of lockdown
and social distancing. “Covid-19 has led to palpable unease among people.
There’s helplessness and disappointment, especially because they’re unable to
reach an experienced doctor. Social distancing calls for measures to avoid
crowds, which could arise at medical establishments; but that should not stop
people from consulting doctors online.” says, Dr. Prof Padma Shree J M Hans,
ENT & Cochlear Implant, with 37 years of experience.
Encumbered by an
extended lockdown, Indians are seeking solutions to access quality healthcare
remotely. Technology has made it possible for people to access healthcare
without having to travel or risking a potential exposure to infection. “I
urge people to take care of their health and reach out to doctors like us even
for the smallest of clarifications so that no symptom goes undiagnosed and gets
treated on time. That is what the India Health Hour has been designed
for”, added Dr Hans.
Dr. Vishal Grover,
Ophthalmologist, commented on partnership with Practo, “Our association with
Practo for an initiative like India
Health Hour will help us reach out to more people and touch more lives to make
them happier and healthier. In these testing times where mobility is restricted
Telemedicine has emerged as a promising alternative to in house physical
consults.” - Dr. Grover is the proprietor of Delhi-based Netraytan Hospital
and has more than 25 years of experience.
India Health Hour
enables patients to have a video/audio or text-based conversation with the
doctors. Patients can also share images, reports for a detailed discussion. The
program caters to a range of medical specialities, which includes: Dentistry,
GPs, Orthopedics, ENT, Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Physiotherapy,
Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Cardiology, Psychiatry, Dermatology, General Surgery,
Stomach and digestion, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Neurology, Cancer.
Telemedicine has played
an important role in ensuring high patient care standards across the country
and is increasingly becoming the preferred first mode of communication between
doctors and patients. This is corroborated by the fact that Practo’s
telemedicine platform grew by 500% since March 1st.
To avail the free
consultation, patients can visit Practo – India Health Hour page and
choose their speciality according to the health query. They will be connected
with a doctor from the requested speciality for the consult in as less as 60
seconds. Built in features like image sharing, voice calling
and video call (only on app) ensures that doctors get all the required
information for a diagnosis, and refer for a physical visit if required. To
ensure that as many patients as possible can get access to healthcare advice
during the COVID-19 crisis, one free consultation is available per day per
person.