GEORGE TOWN – Working to cater to Covid-19 patients of all categories, the Penang government is zeroing in on home quarantined patients through a public telehealth service, with the RM5 consultation fee subsidised by the state.
Under the healthcare arm PGCare Alliance, the service is exclusively for those under home quarantine in Penang who may need medical consultation should any adverse effects surface during their recovery at home.
At the launch of the Telehealth PGCare service, Penang State Tourism and Creative Economy exco Yeoh Soon Hin said that despite vaccination efforts, cases in the state are still surging.
He noted that hospital beds and quarantine centres are full and the healthcare system is struggling.
To ensure those in home quarantine are accounted for and that their condition does not become more serious, Yeoh said that this service, brought about by Dr Touch, will enable patients to have remote medical consultation through phone calls or video with medical volunteers who will assess their situation.
“This service caters to all levels of society, including the B40 and vulnerable groups.
“Therefore, the state government will be absorbing the consultation fee of RM5 so all of them can use it for free,” said Yeoh, who is also the vice chairman of PGCare Alliance.
He said that those quarantined may have trouble heading to a Covid-19 assessment centre or clinic if symptoms worsen, and that it is also challenging to arrange transportation.
Similarly, Welfare exco and PGCare Alliance chairman Phee Boon Poh said that the district health office will inform all assemblymen of the contact details of those undergoing home quarantine.
Their offices will then have to contact these patients to ensure they have their oximeters and have registered for Telehealth PGCare for when they need medical consultation.
“We will reach out to them first; we will be proactive and call them up to ensure they are okay. Communication is important.
“After the free consultation, if they experience problems when it comes to purchasing the needed medication for their condition, they will need to call us so we know how to help.
“If they do not have the means to pay for the medication fees, I believe there are people who will want to help, but they have to let us know first,” Phee said.
The first of its kind in Malaysia, this service allows Covid-19 patients to sign up, book a consultation, or get urgent aid via the platform. After consultation, prescriptions will be sent to a pharmacy located close to the patient’s home.
Once the prescription is confirmed with payment made, it will be sent to the home within two hours.
Consultations under Dr Touch usually cost RM22 per session, but it has been reduced to RM5 under Telehealth PGCare. The state government is also implementing a complete waiver until December 31, 2021.
According to CovidNow, 19,153 Covid-19-positive patients are under home quarantine in the state. Penang continues to record the highest death rates in the country, rising from 16.5 deaths per 100,000 people yesterday to 18 today. – The Vibes, September 17, 2021
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