The Department of Health (DOH) has tapped KonsultaMD for the provision of free telemedicine advice to individuals who need non-emergency medical assistance in order to alleviate surge and minimize risks posed by unnecessary visits to hospitals.

The move is expected to augment the DOH COVID hotlines 02-894-COVID (02-894-26843) and 1555 for general COVID-19 related inquiries.

According to DOH, health care providers, particularly the hospitals, are currently experiencing a high number of consultations regarding COVID-19, many of which are manageable at the primary care level.

Thus, to address the issue, those residing in the National Capital Region can call KonsultaMD’s 02-7798-8000 hotline to consult with a medical professional for non-COVID-19 related health concerns, free of charge. This will be available from April 7 until May 31, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“We are glad to partner with DOH in this undertaking as we anticipate that there will be more demand for telemedicine as the enhanced community quarantine continues. By offering our services for free, we can help decongest our hospitals of cases that may be easily addressed through telemedicine. This will allow the doctors in the field to focus on critical ailments,” said Maridol D. Ylanan, CEO of Global Telehealth, Inc. which runs KonsultaMD.

Prior to the partnership with DOH, KonsultaMD has already provided free access to its 79880 hotline to Globe and TM customers while the 02-7798-8000 landline hotline may also be accessed for free from any Globe landline nationwide or any other landline in Metro Manila.

Likewise, KonsultaMD is giving a free 30-day subscription to anyone who will register for the service until April 30.

KonsultaMD is equipped with modules and internal protocols in handling different health issues and provides a telephone triage or a means of determining the urgency of the caller’s condition.

Its team of doctors can also provide general health information, guidance and specific measures, interim care and self care recommendations, reading of laboratory and diagnostic results, health coaching and nutrition counseling, and prescribe medication.

Global Telehealth, Inc. is a joint venture between 917Ventures, a corporate incubator wholly-owned by Globe Telecom, and Salud Interactiva (SI), one of the oldest telehealth companies in the world with 22 years of experience in telemedicine and 6 million members in Mexico.