GEORGE TOWN – A partnership between healthcare start-up BookDoc and the Penang government will see residents getting teleconsultation sessions worth RM50 million for free as part of efforts to contain Covid-19.
The consultations, done online, allow those experiencing symptoms to quickly communicate their concerns to doctors from home, minimising the risk of spreading the disease.
“Given our ongoing battle against Covid-19, and with new clusters detected in recent days, this initiative by BookDoc as part of its corporate social responsibility encourages Penangites to digitally embrace new norms, as well as promotes physical distancing,” Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told a press conference recently.
“This will certainly assist those with mobility concerns, or those who are more vulnerable to infections.”
For Penangites who prefer in-person clinic visits, they are urged to make appointments via the BookDoc app to reduce congestion at healthcare facilities. The app is also linked to MySejahtera, and can be used to check-in at public places.
Both these features will be available starting next month.
In view of the Covid-19 threat, said BookDoc founder and CEO Datuk Chevy Beh, the company is looking to make it compulsory for appointments to be made for clinic visits.
“We have a hotline in collaboration with the Health Ministry” to address virus-related questions, he added, in line with the adoption of technology under Industry 4.0.
To book a free teleconsultation, Penang residents can email to [email protected] to get a unique session code.
The state is on heightened alert following the detection of the Ara cluster, which has two patients, this month.
Nationwide, coronavirus cases have breached 11,130, with 134 deaths. – The Vibes, September 29, 2020
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