Gurugram to launch telemedicine portal to link doctors, patients

Vishakha Chaman | TNN | Updated: Apr 16, 2020, 09:03 IST

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GURUGRAM: With the lockdown extended till May 3 and curbs on movement likely to continue in one form or another for a longer period, it’s imperative that reaching a doctor does not become an onerous task, be it for Covid symptoms or any other ailment.
Keeping this in mind, the district administration, along with the GMDA and the MCG, is launching a telemedicine service. On Wednesday, it directed all doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and ayurveda practitioners in the city to register on a portal, https://onemapggm.gmda.gov.in/hrheal, in order to bring them on one platform. The portal aims to connect all stakeholders — the government, hospitals, doctors, health workers, testing labs and patients — during the Covid-19 crisis.

The one-stop portal will give both Covid and non-Covid-19 patients access to a pool of doctors and help set up appointments. Doctors would be able to upload prescriptions online. A helpline number and a GMDA app will be launched soon by the authorities.
“The idea is to offer audio-based telemedicine services for Covid and non-Covid patients. For suspected Covid-19 cases, doctors available for telemedicine will evaluate their symptoms and issue test prescriptions. Others will be offered primary counselling so as to reduce patient inflow at hospitals and reduce the risk of spread of infection,” said a district administration official.
If a patient goes to a doctor for physical consultation and is found symptomatic for Covid-19, the doctor can upload the patient’s documents on the portal with all details. A copy of the patient’s ID proof would also be required.
Moreover, doctors will also be able to offer audio-based services. Whenever a patient calls on the number, an audio clip will be played before he or she is connected to a doctor. The patient will need to provide consent before proceeding for consultation. In case a patient connects through the GMDA app, a message for consent will be displayed on it.
If doctors advise a patient to visit a doctor or hospital, they can activate an e-pass for them on GMDA’s portal. “It’s a good initiative. We are also providing teleconsultation in our hospital,” said Dr Vishal Sharma, GM, medical operations and quality, Paras Hospital.