Ehsaas Holds Press Conference to Publicize Dial a Doctor (Tele-Medicine Service)
DIAL A DOCTOR PROGRAM
Doorstep health services in J&K
Till date, around 1300 CONSULTATIONS have been provided under the initiativeS
Srinagar9th Sep.2020: Ehsaas International & Dard Welfare Society in association with Kashmir Health Care Support Group* (A Kashmiri Doctors Group) has initiated quality based health- care consultative service for general public at their doorsteps. Under the initiative “Dial a Doctor Program” more than 300 doctors across the globe and from different specialties/ sub-specialties provide 24*7, voluntary health services to the people of J&K.
Consideringthe adverse impact, Covid -19 pandemic has put on the existing health infrastructure of J&K, after proper stakeholder consultations and as one among a series of initiatives, the group decided to launch “Dial a Doctor” program where in people would get access to quality health consultations and services without leaving the four walls of their houses. This was conceptualized keeping in view that hospitals are high risk places for contraction of Covid-19 disease and many medical ailments can be managed by telephonic consultations thus avoiding visit of patients to hospitals. To ensure timely disposal of queries, a control room managed by doctors and paramedical staff has been set up with a Toll Free No 1800 889 2729 backed with 10 lines at the back end to avoid any inconvenience caused to the patients. So far, over the last one month days, more than 1000 consultations have been provided to the people. This service is being delivered with the approval of Health & Medical Education Department, Government of J&K and it has brought a sigh of relief to the patients who don’t have to undergo risk laden visits to the hospitals for ailments other than Covid.“The doctors associated with the initiative readily agreed to offer their selfless services and are relentlessly providing their expertise by managing the patients through telemedicine consultations,” said a senior member of the group.“It is the opportune time for us to contribute towards our society and we will do our level best to ease the difficulties of our people, they are our brothers and sisters,” said an overseas based doctor associated with this initiative.“Considering the response from doctors and beneficiaries, we aim to continue this service post-pandemic as well,” said , General Secretary Ehsaas International Trust.Ehsaas International and Dard Welfare have also initiated Oxygen Therapy, SPO2 level evaluation at community level, Hands On Training and massive awareness, with the intention to sensitize people about the different aspects of the Covid- 19 virus and also suggest remedial measures to manage different medical conditions rising due to Covid crisis.Under Oxygen therapy which is considered as life- line of Covid -19 patients, oxygen concentrators are being provided to the patients, who are being treated at home. So far, this therapy has been provided to more than 100 people followed by constant follow- up by the medical experts on daily basis. By this scientific mechanism, critical patients at home are being identified and advised to be referred to Covid designated hospitals. Till date, >90% recovery rate, <2% mortality rate, and 5% referral rate has been noted. In addition, a competency based hands-on-training is being provided to registered volunteers at Noora Hospital by qualified doctors and para-medical staff. Through the program, a trained volunteer is made competent enough to manage a Covid -19 patient at home. Till date, 990 volunteers have been registered, 225 volunteers have been trained so far, out of which 50 volunteers are kept on job to evaluate SPO2 range at the community level to screen the asymptomatic, unnoticeable COVID-19 patients. More than 2000 vulnerable people have been screened so far, 36 people were found with below normal oxygen saturation, who are then routed to health specialists via Dial-a-Doctor Service for further medical management. Moreover, busting the myths associated with Covid-19 and bringing reality to the forefront, under its awareness component, the group has conducted 28 live Facebook sessions with Specialist doctors across the globe, the sessions were viewed by around 1.7 lakh people online on the official facebook page of Ehsaas International.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/%E2%80%98dial-a-doctor%E2%80%99-service-for-valley-residents-139081
https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/ehsaas-launches-dial-a-doctor-service-in-kashmir/
https://www.kashmiruzma.net/NewsDetail?action=view&ID=71036
https://m.etvbharat.com/urdu/jammu-and-kashmir/state/srinagar/dial-a-doctor-a-unique-initiative-in-kashmir/na20200911204519196
*Video courtesy: Majid Hyderi*