Apollo introduces telemedicine centres

Equitas recently announced the launch of the first tele healthcare delivery for its members and their families in association with the pioneer in virtual healthcare delivery, HealthNet Global Ltd funded by FEM S3. HealthNet, using Apollo physicians will address healthcare and reach out to over a million families anytime anywhere. The Consult 4 Health and Call 4 Health products were developed by CIRM exclusively for Equitas clients.

Consult 4 Health is a telemedicine solution that provides interactive healthcare in real-time online utilising modern technology and telecommunications. For a nominal charge of Rs 50, it allows the patients to consult an Apollo physician over video for immediate healthcare. Tele medicine is an invaluable tool in healthcare as it helps patients to get service from doctors even in remote areas without the need of patient’s physical presence at doctor’s clinic. The patient data is collected through various processes like family history, biometrics and integration of medical equipment. The data is stored and shared between healthcare professionals to diagnose, treat and follow-up. Some of the significant benefits are, reduced patient health risks; enhanced access to care for patients living in urban slums and remote areas; reduced healthcare delivery costs; saves time and travel; minimized hospital admissions and objective and timely clinical information. This will be available at Equitas Branch Offices to provide easy access to members and their families.

PN Vasudevan, Managing Director, Equitas said, “It is our endeavor to improve the quality of lives of our members and their families. Healthcare is a source of significant financial stress for this segment, particularly who lack access to quality healthcare. Tele healthcare is going to address the most critical part of our members’ lives which is often neglected due to lack of resources and access. This initiative with Health Net Global using Apollo physicians will bring a revolution by providing healthcare to the doorstep of our members and the best medical care anytime anywhere. We will roll-out our services from Chennai and gradually go Pan India.”

Charles Antony, CEO, HealthNet Global Limited said, “HealthNet Global has continuously been at the helm of several game-changing innovations in Indian healthcare. With this unique initiative launched in partnership with Equitas, we will continue to reach out to the economically weaker sections of society at large. This will forever transform the way Healthcare is delivered to the citizens of this country. The HealthHub of HealthNet Global will deliver quality healthcare services using a combination of brick-and-mortar and virtually delivered online services.”

Martin Vogelsang, Director, FEM S3, India said, “Our mission is to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Bottom-of-the-Pyramid (BOP) population in India. We are very happy to partner with Equitas, CIRM and HealthNet to create scalable business models that will enable the self-development of the BOP population.”

Rupalee Ruchismita, Executive Director, CIRM said, “Both Consult 4 Health and Call 4 Health are ideas with potential to scale within Equitas as well as with other agencies servicing low income households.”