Noida/Ghaziabad: In a move likely to help people unable to visit doctors during the lockdown, Noida and Ghaziabad are set to ramp up their telemedicine helpline facilities, which were started last week.
While doctors associated with the Noida chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) plan to launch an app on May 3 to offer advice via video chat, the Ghaziabad administration has roped in more than 70 doctors, including physicians, gynaecologists and paediatricians, for free telephonic consultation for non-Covid patients for six hours a day.
On April 24, the Noida Authority launched a helpline, 0120-2422317, through which people unable to go to outpatient departments (OPDs) could seek advice between 10am and 6pm. On an average, the helpline gets 150 calls daily.
Dr NK Sharma, IMA president (Noida), said, “Majority of the complaints pertain to stomach ache and headache. At present, 21 doctors have volunteered to take the calls.”
A psychiatrist has also been roped in to counsel people suffering from anxiety disorders, or are feeling overwhelmed and helpless in the current situation.
“On Monday, a businessman called me up to find out the best way to end life. He had taken a loan and was unable to pay it back due to losses. I tried to counsel him and asked his spouse to keep an eye on him,” said psychiatrist RK Bansal.
He added that many people who were suffering from depression had been unable to access anti-depressants as they had old prescriptions from their therapists.
IMA (Noida) general secretary Mohita Sharma said she hoped that patient care would be improved with the launch of the app. “We will publicise the app among residents. Doctors will be available for video chats. We hope to continue the free service for at least two months, irrespective of whether the lockdown is lifted or not,” said Sharma.
In Ghaziabad, meanwhile, the tele-consultation service, which started on April 25, caters to people seeking medical advice from 8am to 2pm daily.
“So far, more than 150 people have availed the facility. We are going to publicise the list through social media platforms and newspapers in a day or two,” said Ghaziabad chief development officer Ashmita Lal. She said he expected the number of calls to go up significantly once the list is posted with names, phone numbers and timings of the doctors.
With private hospitals and clinics closed and residents wary of visiting government hospitals, patients have been finding it difficult to cope with the lack of medical facilities. “I have itching sensation in my eyes due to dryness. At any other time, I would have visited my ophthalmologist. But for now, I am seeking advice over the phone,” said Ashish Pandey, a resident of Indirapuram. Another resident of Indirapuram, Sidheshwar Thakur, 77, said he is fearful of visiting the hospital for his prostrate problem.
While doctors associated with the Noida chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) plan to launch an app on May 3 to offer advice via video chat, the Ghaziabad administration has roped in more than 70 doctors, including physicians, gynaecologists and paediatricians, for free telephonic consultation for non-Covid patients for six hours a day.
On April 24, the Noida Authority launched a helpline, 0120-2422317, through which people unable to go to outpatient departments (OPDs) could seek advice between 10am and 6pm. On an average, the helpline gets 150 calls daily.
Dr NK Sharma, IMA president (Noida), said, “Majority of the complaints pertain to stomach ache and headache. At present, 21 doctors have volunteered to take the calls.”
A psychiatrist has also been roped in to counsel people suffering from anxiety disorders, or are feeling overwhelmed and helpless in the current situation.
“On Monday, a businessman called me up to find out the best way to end life. He had taken a loan and was unable to pay it back due to losses. I tried to counsel him and asked his spouse to keep an eye on him,” said psychiatrist RK Bansal.
He added that many people who were suffering from depression had been unable to access anti-depressants as they had old prescriptions from their therapists.
IMA (Noida) general secretary Mohita Sharma said she hoped that patient care would be improved with the launch of the app. “We will publicise the app among residents. Doctors will be available for video chats. We hope to continue the free service for at least two months, irrespective of whether the lockdown is lifted or not,” said Sharma.
In Ghaziabad, meanwhile, the tele-consultation service, which started on April 25, caters to people seeking medical advice from 8am to 2pm daily.
“So far, more than 150 people have availed the facility. We are going to publicise the list through social media platforms and newspapers in a day or two,” said Ghaziabad chief development officer Ashmita Lal. She said he expected the number of calls to go up significantly once the list is posted with names, phone numbers and timings of the doctors.
With private hospitals and clinics closed and residents wary of visiting government hospitals, patients have been finding it difficult to cope with the lack of medical facilities. “I have itching sensation in my eyes due to dryness. At any other time, I would have visited my ophthalmologist. But for now, I am seeking advice over the phone,” said Ashish Pandey, a resident of Indirapuram. Another resident of Indirapuram, Sidheshwar Thakur, 77, said he is fearful of visiting the hospital for his prostrate problem.
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