Here are five free teleconsultation services that are now available to Filipinos from the comfort of their own homes.
Teleconsultation or telehealth services may be accessed through virtual or electronic means for those who have medical queries and concerns but prefer to stay at home to avoid exposure to illness or infection.
The services have grown in popularity because they allow more Filipinos to connect with doctors and medical professionals even amid the surge of Covid-19 cases in the Philippines.
There are now more groups and initiatives offering free online consultations to patients from all over the country who are seeking medical advice from doctors.
Here is a list of five free teleconsultation services in the Philippines for different health concerns:
GENERAL CONSULTATION
Bayanihan E-Konsulta
The free Bayanihan E-Konsulta doctor consultation platform brings together online frontliners and patients who cannot go or be accommodated in hospitals due to the surge in new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The Facebook page features a listing of options for teleconsultations, Covid public testing centers, and Covid-19 hotlines of Local government units. The messaging service provides real-time assistance to users.
The Bayanihan E-Konsulta platform was launched last year by the Office of the Vice President amid the Enhanced Community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region and continues to serve the public, notably by assigning medical monitoring and sending COVID home care packages.
To get a doctor consultation via FB page:
- The patient only needs to visit the Bayanihan E-Konsulta Facebook. Click the Message button
- Type “KONSULTA” or “TULONG” to get the chat feature to direct the patient to its requested service
COVID INQUIRIES
PGH TeleGabay
PGH TeleGabay is a free service that allows volunteer doctors from the University of the Philippines-administered Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), the country’s main COVID-referral hospital center, to answer COVID-related inquiries through Facebook messaging.
For COVID-related concerns, patients, donors, and volunteers may call the Bayanihan Na! Operations Center (BNOC) landline through 155-200.
TELEMEDICINE
CloudPx
CloudPx is an official Telemedicine partner of the Department of Health (DOH) that allows users to schedule online consultations with doctors. Free consultations are available.
Go to the CloudPx website or download the app or message their FB page.
After registering for an account, log in so you can start searching for doctors in the CloudMD network, and request either a face to face or virtual consultation
You can check if a doctor is offering free e-consultations by going to Directory and setting the filter to ‘Free’ consultations. Click Search
DERMATOLOGY
Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center
Free online dermatology consultations are offered for free through Facebook messenger. Consultations are open to individuals of all ages from Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Facebook.
Go to this link.
MENTAL HEALTH
Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services
The Ateneo Bulatao Center of the Ateneo de Manila University offers free psychological counseling services online for adults.
The Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services said it started providing “free brief psychological services” to extend a helping hand to the public amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Sign-ups for its online psychotherapy services are currently closed for the month of February 2022. You may check back for updates on Ateneo’s Facebook page when the services are open again for the month of March.
Those who are experiencing current distress and in need of urgent attention should proceed to the emergency room of their nearest hospital or call the hotlines below:
DOH-NCMH Hotline: 0917-899-8727 or 02-7989-8727
Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Hopeline: 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673 and 02-8804-4673
In Touch Crisis Line: 0917-800-1123, 0922-893-8944 and 02-8893-7603
Globe’s service channels including KonsultaMD and HealthNow are also providing support to customers as tighter restrictions are enforced in Metro Manila and other areas amid a rise in Covid cases.
CHECK THIS OUT: 5 free virtual doctors “House calls” for Covid-19 concerns
Here’s what to do when you are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the Philippines.
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