Health information is now more accessible
with KonsultaMD, a 24/7 hotline designed to make medical
information more convenient, efficient, and affordable to majority of
Filipinos.
Self-medication is a common practice here in
the Philippines, which usually causes more harm than good. This behavior is a
result of lack of experienced healthcare professionals in the country in
addition to under-resourced public hospitals, poor health infrastructure,
limited accessibility, and high cost of medical consultation.
Currently, the Philippines only has about
three doctors for every 100,000 patients in rural areas and seven doctors for
every 100,000 patients in urban areas. This statistics is quite alarming,
especially as the country’s population continues to rise, which means more
Filipinos will need health care.
Thus, KonsultaMD was created to bring
positive change to the Philippine healthcare industry. This innovative
undertaking is being operated by Global Telehealth, Inc., an affiliate of
leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom and Salud Interactiva, a
leader in the health hotline space in Mexico.
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| Photo courtesy of KonsultaMD |
KonsultaMD addresses two of nine areas in
the healthcare spectrum identified by a global consultancy and research firm as
having the biggest potential for disruption and transformation – “care anytime,
anywhere” and “cost of care/operation innovations.”
With KonsultaMD, Filipinos from all walks
of life especially those at the base of the pyramid, will have access to a
reliable source of medical information anytime they want and wherever they are
in the country without spending a lot of time and money.
“We
are addressing the pain points in Philippine health care by pulling together a
team of skilled and licensed Filipino doctors who are readily available to
provide medical assessment, basic healthcare and permissible medication over
the phone. Not only do we feel that the
local market is ready for this kind of service, we feel there is a great need
for it considering the low doctor to patients ratio in the country,” said
Maridol Ylanan, CEO of Global Telehealth, Inc.
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| Vinchi Sy-Quia, Director for Marketing |
KonsultaMD provides straightforward medical
information, which includes pregnancy, infant and/or toddler care, fever and
other general ailments, signs and symptoms, diet, and other concerns.
“With Konsulta MD, Filipinos will have unlimited
access to telephone medical triage 27/7, clinical advisory, general health
information and medical advice. Doctors will answer questions,
provide guidance and specific measures, and healthcare lessons such as interim
care, self care or general recommendations. A non-emergency health concern may
be answered by simply calling KonsultaMD. The customer call to the hotline will
cost much less compared to a visit to a doctor,” said Vinchi Sy-Quia, Director
for Marketing.
However, KonsultaMD does not replace
face-to-face interaction between doctors and patients, but only serves as a
means of interim care so that the public can have immediate and affordable
medical attention.
KonsultaMD is available to Globe and TM customers
at affordable subscription plans. Globe Postpaid customers only need to pay a
subscription fee of Php150 per month, which can be used by up to four additional household members.
Globe Prepaid and TM customers may
subscribe for Php15 a week, Php60 a month, Php120 every 2 months or Php180 a
quarter. Subscription fee is waived for
Platinum Elite members. Calls using Globe or TM are charged Php1 per minute
while calls within Metro Manila via landline are currently free.
Non-Globe users have to pay the standard
NDD rate for calls outside Metro Manila or regular mobile to landline rate,
whichever is applicable.
All Globe consumer postpaid, prepaid and TM
customers may subscribe by signing up at www.konsulta.md, by calling (02) 79880
or by visiting a Globe Store. Platinum
Elite members may subscribe via their Platinum Relationship Manager. Non-Globe
users may visit a Globe Store.
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