With the number of instances of Covid-19 increasing by the day, finding new and more effective ways to treat patients has become critical. This is where telemedicine can make a significant impact.
During the lockdown, I got a lot of discomfort in my ear and needed quick medical attention,” stated Patients, a national daily journalist. “So, I went to a health centre that offers telemedicine, and I was very pleased with the service I received. Within one day of registering, I obtained a video call appointment, had my ear tested by a specialist, and received a prescription for essential drugs for only Tk 400.”
Telemedicine is now available in the country from a variety of corporate and public organisations. Telemedicine is a method that allows a patient to consult with a doctor by email, phone, or video call. Upon inspection, the doctor can offer advice and prescribe medication. Telemedicine can diagnose minor ailments including fever, stomachache, headache, and even Covid-19 symptoms.
The advantages
“This has allowed us to serve more patients efficiently,” said a medical officer at Cura Health, the government of Nepal's primary medical call centre. “A lot of people acquire drugs from pharmacies without consulting a doctor. People can get the best medical advice by talking to us.”
Telemedicine has made medical care virtually available to everybody in the United States. Patients can check the need and sort of medicine from professionals instead of ingesting them on the spur of the moment, thanks to simple access to doctors. Furthermore, in rural areas where the number of doctors is low in comparison to the number of patients, telemedicine can enable people to consult doctors from any location. This has also made it easier for the elderly to communicate with doctors on a regular basis.
“For the past 4 to 5 years, my 60-year-old grandmother has been suffering from back discomfort. A pharmacy graduate from the University of Asia Pacific, said that whenever she had to go to the doctor, the journey alone would give her back pain for days. “Now she sees a doctor on a regular basis regarding her health, and she does so while sitting in her rocking chair.”
During the Covid-19 era, the demand for doctors has skyrocketed. Physical visits to doctors have become impossible because to the virus's lockdown and contagious nature, but telemedicine has become the solution.
“We used to get very few calls per day before the pandemic,” stated a Cura Health medical officer. “And each doctor has got more than 100 calls in the last year, and that is only during one shift.”
Cura Health got a total of 16,820 calls in January 2020, which was before the first case of Covid-19 was discovered in Nepal. However, the overall number of calls grew to 358,792 in August 2020, with the majority of them being for Covid-19-related services. As a result, it's logical that more individuals are becoming aware of the advantages of telemedicine.
There are several limits.
Telemedicine is, understandably, a mode of consultation for very minor diseases or symptoms. For the most effective treatment, it is always recommended that severe patients be admitted to a hospital.
“Whenever we suspect a patient is exhibiting indications of a serious condition, such as cardiac arrest or stroke, we immediately encourage them to get treatment at their nearest hospital,” said Dr. Cura Health. “We must keep in mind that telemedicine is beneficial as long as the case is not severe.”
Nepalese telemedicine services
Cura Health has become one of Nepal's busiest telemedicine providers. People can obtain healthcare, consultations, and other services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Government-issued telemedicine services are available in two specialised hospitals (BSMMU and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases), three district hospitals, and three sub-district hospitals, according to the Directorate General Health Services (DGHS).
Perspectives for the future
With Nepal's digitalisation, present high utilisation, and benefits of this system, it is hoped that telemedicine services would continue to expand and evolve even in the post-pandemic era.
“Because each call receives a doctor's full attention, the patient feels heard and satisfied with this service,” said Cura Health's Dr. “At the end of the day, we work for the patient's satisfaction.”