In a move to bring medical information closer to the Ilonggos, Globe Telecom introduced on Wednesday the KonsultaMD, a 24/7 health hotline manned by skilled and licensed Filipino doctors ready to provide medical assessment and advice.
Self-medication is a common practice in the Philippines where a large percentage of the population relies on folk medicines, unfounded advice from family and friends, traditional cures, or even the internet instead of going to a doctor or medical practitioner.
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.
Thus, KonsultaMD was created to bring positive change to the Philippine healthcare industry with its 24/7 health hotline designed to make medical information more accessible, efficient, and affordable to majority of Filipinos. KonsultaMD 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.
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.”
Konsulta MD Marketing Director Vinchi Sy-Quia explains how KonsultaMD helps in making healthcare more efficient in the country.
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.
KonsultaMD provides straightforward help with health and medical-related questions. This includes medical information to common but important questions on pregnancy, infant and/or toddler care, fever and other general ailments, signs and symptoms, diet, and other concerns.
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.
