Nagpur: go to the doctor for any health problems and discuss face-to-face, planning visits and visit back to the clinic, the pathology lab, and finally visit a medical store to buy prescribed drugs – this can be a patient schedule during pre-pandemic time.
However, after two Covid-19 waves, most have become past things.
Doctors are now available on Phone calls and video calls WhatsApp; Pathology-Labs have started door-to-door sampling services and provides online reports.
Doctors are also ready to receive reports online and some of them send their online recipes too.
Pharmacists receive this online recipe and send drugs on the doorstep.
The whole system has witnessed major changes in the last 18 months.
“Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) is the first regulatory authority in the country to legalize online consultation ahead of Covid-19 pandemic.
Other countries follow us.
It was a milestone decision taken even before the top of the first wave,” said Dr.
Vinky Rughwani, representative MMC President.
Because of this decision on April 2020, consulting the phone, video calls, online chat, cellular applications etc.
become legal and official.
Doctors and patients who understand Techno began to use this facility optimally.
Vinayak Deshmukh, a 65-year-old diabetes patient, remained in Yavatmal and was in treatment against a famous endocrine expert in Nagpur.
“I did my sugar test in the local laboratory in my hometown and sent a report to my doctor at WhatsApp.
He gave an online consultation too,” he said.
This not only limits Dishmukh’s monthly visit to Nagpur, but whatsapp consultation has everything in a written form available for reference ready on the phone.
“Online consultation is a gift for senior citizens.
Your medical profile is on your mobile.
This is the future for patients who need long-term treatment in lifestyle diseases,” said the doctor Dr.
Amol Kadu.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also organized online workshops that often on this subject in the last 2 years now.
According to Dr.
Sandeep Yadav, the President of the Maharashtra Association practiced the pathology and microbiology, online facilities were booming.
“It’s useful and saving time for the pathology laboratory to forward reports on the phone.
We always save saldus available in the lab.
Patients can visit according to convenience and collect copies.
But, online saves a lot of time,” he said.
During the peak of Covid-19, thousands of patients received their report on telephone from government authorities.
The online registration process for vaccination is an instant hit.
Very new for it is a facility that allows people who are vaccinated to immediately download their certificate.
This initiative underlines change in the field of Post Pandemic Health Facility-19.
“The time has come when we have to learn to live with Coronavirus novels.
Going digital is a must to avoid the crowd, traffic, waiting period in place and risk of doctor’s infection.
The hospital is always there for an emergency and critical situation for sure.
But, most of the time , Digital consultation from home can be the best choice, “said General Physician Dr.
Parita Telang.