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QualiMed Partners with KonsultaMD and BizBox for Telemedicine Service
PHOTO CAPTION: An Industrial and Occupational Health (IOH) doctor on-duty talks to a patient during a video consultation session. Each doctor is assigned a Virtual Room Code, which a patient can use during an appointment with a doctor.
Over a month after the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, QualiMed Health Network launched TeleCheQ, its telemedicine service being delivered in partnership with KonsultaMD (for technology interface) and BizBox (for electronic health records). With TeleCheQ, patients can now avail of online doctor consultation from the safety of their homes.
There has been a limited movement within communities since the ECQ in Luzon and in some major provinces was enforced due to COVID-19. Only those considered as essential services were allowed to operate in support of the government's mandate to "flatten the curve." Meanwhile, the rest of the population are expected to stay home.
QualiMed Health Network—the healthcare provider partnership between the Mercado medical group and Ayala Land, Inc.—has since opened its four general hospitals to take in COVID patients in need of care. To maximize the network's pool of medical professionals, a temporary closure of its four Luzon clinics and one surgery center was enforced. This move was taken to provide the hospitals with a medical team on standby in case more will be needed in the battle against COVID-19. As the pandemic is expected to take a while to be fully resolved, QualiMed is taking strategic steps to focus its resources and find new ways to serve its patients while scientists around the world are searching for a long-term cure.
"We recognize the urgency and criticality of treating our COVID patients. It is a difficult call that we must heed as medical professionals. However, we can't discount the plight of our non-COVID patients—their healthcare needs don't stop just because they are required to stay home. During this period, their wellness matters most so continuity of care provision without exposing them to risks is a must," said Dr. Jose Tecson III, Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs of QualiMed.
"These difficult times demand new adjustments so we can better serve our communities. With TeleCheQ, our patients can continue to consult with our doctors for their healthcare needs. Our doctors have started taking in patients with complaints as basic as colds, eye irritation, and allergies, to patients in need of psychiatric counseling. What we are offering is the power of technology and medical science, working for the benefit of our patients. This is a new norm in healthcare borne out of the need of the times; however, we plan to provide TeleCheQ even after this COVID-19 pandemic is over," added Dr. Edwin Mercado, President and CEO of QualiMed.
In this light, QualiMed teamed up with KonsultaMD, a 24/7 telehealth provider owned by Globe Telecom’s 917 Ventures and Mexico’s Salud Interactiva, for free use of the latter’s video platform that allows TeleCheQ doctors to virtually meet with their patients.
“Being a telemedicine provider for five years now, we understand the importance of having quick, easy, and affordable access to licensed doctors whenever and wherever it is needed. In our current situation, this becomes more significant since we do not want to unnecessarily burden our hospitals and medical practitioners who are handling critical and urgent cases. We are, therefore, glad to share our technology with QualiMed so that together, we can help keep our countrymen safe and healthy,” said Maridol Ylanan, CEO of Global Telehealth, Inc. which operates KonsultaMD.
QualiMed has formed four teletriage teams for hospitals (base facilities: Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center - Batangas, QualiMed Hospital - Iloilo, QualiMed Hospital - San Jose Del Monte, and QualiMed Hospital - Sta. Rosa); 1 teletriage team for surgery centers (base facility: QualiMed Surgery Center - Manila); and 1 teletriage team for clinics (base business unit: QualiMed Corporate Health Solutions). Each teletriage team is tasked to connect patients to doctors affiliated with the base facility nearest the patient. With this process, patients can physically consult with their doctors as needed once the ECQ order is lifted.
For medical specialties available for TeleCheQ, please visit the QualiMed Facebook page or email [email protected].
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About QualiMed
QualiMed is a network of healthcare facilities owned and operated by Mercado General Hospital, Inc. (MGHI) in partnership with Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI). QualiMed is devoted to fulfilling its commitment to 3As in healthcare – Appropriateness, Accessibility, and Affordability, which are being attained through well-established operational efficiencies and processes, doctor group alignments, and strategic supply partnerships. With “Alagang Abot-Kaya” or “quality care at an affordable cost” as brand promise, QualiMed healthcare facilities cater to the needs of all markets, yet our affordability makes our services accessible to the broad C socioeconomic class. We believe that every Filipino, regardless of socioeconomic status, deserves access to quality healthcare whenever and wherever a need arises.
About KonsultaMD
KonsultaMD is a 24/7 health hotline service manned by skilled and licensed Filipino doctors who provide medical assessment and information, including basic healthcare and advice on permissible medication over the phone. It is a service under Global Telehealth, Inc., a joint venture between 917Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom, and Salud Interactiva, one of the foremost companies in the integration and dynamics of healthcare services in Mexico. Visit KonsultaMD's website or Facebook account for more.