The buzz about telemedicine
Health care in the country has become an important concern, especially with an ageing baby boomer population and longer life spans. A welcome development has been the ease and convenience of telemedicine and telehealth services – something that ideally should be more accessible for everyone no matter the income level.
In 2020, the Department of Health (DOH), the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the University of the Philippines Manila promoted the use of telemedicine to strengthen the health system and issued telemedicine practice guidelines for patients and health care providers. Telemedicine in the Philippines includes medical consultation via phone call, chat, short messaging service or SMS, or audio or video-conferencing, among others. It’s similar to going to a clinic or hospital for an appointment, only we talk to a health care professional using a computer or mobile device. Through this kind of medical care, anyone can consult a doctor in the convenience of their own home, avoiding travel, waiting rooms and the risk of getting infected by other patients.
Telemedicine services have proven to be essential, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when it became extremely challenging to visit clinics or hospitals during lockdowns and restrictions. Telemedicine solved this issue by making it incredibly easy to get online medical advice at any time or place. And it still remains relevant after the pandemic. For many individuals, including stay-at-home parents, busy working professionals, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals and those living in remote areas, this kind of medical care continues to be a practical and accessible choice.
In an email interview with one of the telemedicine providers available in the Philippines, Doctor Anywhere (DA), general manager Jerome Sebastian explains that common health issues such as coughs, colds, skin problems or digestive issues can be easily treated with telemedicine. Telemedicine also aids in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma, and includes online sessions with mental health experts.
Since its launch in Singapore in 2017, DA has grown to become one of Southeast Asia’s top
