An hour everyday dedicated towards free online consultations with leading doctors in the country across 20+ critical specialties like gynaecology, pediatrics, dermatology
Bengaluru, India, May 7, 2020: Hundreds of highly experienced doctors from across the country and specialities, have joined hands with Practo, India’s largest Telemedicine company, to launch ‘India Health Hour’ – a free online telemedicine solution for patients seeking quality care in times of pandemic. Launched less than a week ago, the program has registered thousands of free online doctor consultations, and served close to 2500+ patients already. The team of highly experienced doctors include Dr Gourdas Chaudhuri, Dr. (Prof) Padmashree J M Hans, Dr. Nandita P Palshetkar, Dr Sharan Shivraj Patil, Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy, Dr Vishal Grover, Dr Nishith Chandra, Dr Anjali Nagpal, Dr Sandeep Naik, Dr Paritosh Pandey, Dr Prashanth S Urs, Dr Shekar Patil, and more, from hospitals like Fortis Healthcare, Manipal Hospitals, Apollo Hospitals, HCG, Sakra World Hospital, among others.
The program goes live every day between 5pm – 6pm on Practo’s app/web. The move is aimed at ensuring citizens have access to high quality care in these times of lockdown and social distancing. “Covid-19 has led to palpable unease among people. There’s helplessness and disappointment, especially because they’re unable to reach an experienced doctor. Social distancing calls for measures to avoid crowds, which could arise at medical establishments; but that should not stop people from consulting doctors online.” says, Dr. Prof Padma Shree J M Hans, ENT & Cochlear Implant, with 37 years of experience.
Encumbered by an extended lockdown, Indians are seeking solutions to access quality healthcare remotely. Technology has made it possible for people to access healthcare without having to travel or risking a potential exposure to infection. “I urge people to take care of their health and reach out to doctors like us even for the smallest of clarifications so that no symptom goes undiagnosed and gets treated on time. That is what the India Health Hour has been designed for”, added Dr Hans.
Dr. Vishal Grover, Ophthalmologist, commented on partnership with Practo, “Our association with Practo for an initiative like India Health Hour will help us reach out to more people and touch more lives to make them happier and healthier. In these testing times where mobility is restricted Telemedicine has emerged as a promising alternative to in house physical consults.” – Dr. Grover is the proprietor of Delhi-based Netrayatan Hospital and has more than 25 years of experience.
India Health Hour enables patients to have a video/audio or text-based conversation with the doctors. Patients can also share images, reports for a detailed discussion. The program caters to a range of medical specialities, which includes: Dentistry, GPs, Orthopedics, ENT, Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Physiotherapy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Cardiology, Psychiatry, Dermatology, General Surgery, Stomach and digestion, Diabetes and endocrinology, Neurology, Cancer.
Telemedicine has played an important role in ensuring high patient care standards across the country and is increasingly becoming the preferred first mode of communication between doctors and patients. This is corroborated by the fact that Practo’s telemedicine platform grew by 500% since March 1st.
Dr. Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer, Practo said, “We stand united with the country in its battle against Covid-19. Together with these highly experienced doctors we’re proud to launch India Health Hour, to provide access to quality healthcare to millions across the country. Doctors and medical fraternity at large are the real heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic, and we salute their unwavering support, sacrifice and commitment. We’re humbled to be their partner and provide them with a platform to offer their service to patients free of cost. We commit ourselves to continue doing all we can, and deliver uninterrupted access to quality care to all, 24*7.”
To avail the free consultation, patients can visit Practo – India Health Hour page (Link) and choose their speciality according to the health query. They will be connected with a doctor from the requested speciality for the consult in as less as 60 seconds. Built in features like image sharing, voice calling and video call (only on app) ensures that doctors get all the required information for a diagnosis, and refer for a physical visit if required. To ensure that as many patients as possible can get access to healthcare advice during the COVID-19 crisis, one free consultation is available per day per person.
