Digital boost for patients

Beh (left) and national squash player Low Wee Wern showing the BookDoc application on their smartphone after the press conference at Komtar.

WITH about RM50mil worth of tele-consultation fees invested exclusively for BookDoc users in Penang, the app will allow the public to access tele-consultation services free of charge until the end of this year.

BookDoc founder and chief executive officer Datuk Chevy Beh said that until Dec 31, the BookDoc tele-consultation feature is available for free in the Covid-19 and mental health category.

“This will be beneficial for Penangites,” said Beh during a press conference at Komtar in George Town.

“This initiative is intended for users to seek quick consultation where they start to show symptoms of Covid-19.

“It allows doctors to screen affected patients quickly so that appropriate measures can be implemented to limit further contamination.

“Interested users may write to BookDoc at [e-mail] to get their one-time unique code.

“This is our way to show commitment to fighting the pandemic.

“We also want to support the authorities and frontliners.”

Beh said BookDoc was now working with the Health Ministry in Putrajaya to digitally boost the healthcare landscape in other ways.

“We are looking at reducing queues at clinics and healthcare centres.

“We want to introduce a method for people to pre-book their appointments.

“This will reduce waiting time and ensure physical distancing as patients no longer have to spend a long time in confined areas like the waiting rooms at clinics.”

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the initiative was timely in view of the new Covid-19 clusters.

“The tele-heath function by BookDoc will encourage Penangites to digitally embrace new norms. It will further promote physical distancing.

“Tele-health was a slow-growing industry in Malaysia prior to the Covid-19 crisis.

“However, resulting lockdown measures have led to a shift in consumer behaviour across all industries, including healthcare.

“I understand that the BookDoc feature allows one to consult trained medical professionals from the comfort of one’s own home.

“This will certainly assist those with mobility concerns or those who are more vulnerable to infections,” he said.

BookDoc is an integrated health tech company in South-East Asia, with an online platform that operates across the healthcare continuum to connect patients to healthcare professionals.

It is available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.