To promote its Android app Healthpass, health start-up Medicount Pakistan is now giving away the first online GP consultation free for all users. The company encourages the free trial of this service even before any actual medical need arises. From the second call onwards, consultations are charged starting at Rs. 150. The online payment method is JazzCash.
Dr. Azfar Malik, Head of Telehealth at Medicount explains the move:
Consulting doctors online is still new in Pakistan. When starting our service late last year, we quickly noticed that people have certain apprehensions about consulting a doctor online. By making the first video call free, we encourage people to just try it out at no risk. The experience is very similar to a WhatsApp call.
“Online doctor consultations can complement the traditional physical doctor visit in many ways”, says Dr. Azfar Malik.
This facility is ideal for housewives, senior citizens and people living in remote areas. It is also well suited for people in need of a second opinion before going for an expensive medical treatment. Another need is safe & confidential doctor consultation in health matters that are often considered taboo and therefore difficult to address in normal clinical settings.
Healthpass’ panel of MBBS-certified male and female GPs is available 24/7 via Healthpass Teledoc app, through instant consultation or by prior appointment booking. Where medically advisable under Pakistani and international telehealth guidelines, patients are given digital prescriptions at the end of a call.
Where admission, tests or physical consultations are required, Healthpass users can avail them at discounted prices at over 500 medical providers in 10 cities in Pakistan that have partnered with Healthpass.
Dr. Azfar concludes:
Healthpass via its Teledoc App is determined to create a meaningful impact in healthcare in Pakistan thereby promoting a healthy lifestyle and creating health awareness amongst the masses in Pakistan.
