New Delhi (NVI): In order to prevent crowding at hospitals amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) will be starting tele-consultation services with specialist doctors to help the beneficiaries.
In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is not advisable for senior citizens to visit public places, particularly health care facilities, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
“In order to facilitate consultations with specialists by CGHS beneficiaries through virtual mode without physically visiting a healthcare facility, CGHS has started tele-consultation services w.e.f. 25.8.2020,” the Ministry said.
Initially, these services will be available to beneficiaries in Delhi/NCR. The e-services are available between 9.00 am and 12 noon on all working days.
CGHS tele-consultation services are using the existing e-Sanjeevani platform of the Health Ministry. For ease of use, this platform has been linked with the ID of the beneficiaries.
For availing of specialist OPD services, the beneficiaries are required to register on the platform using their mobile number after which an OTP will be generated for verification purposes. After verification, the beneficiaries can log on to the system, fill patient registration form, request for a token and upload health records (if required), the ministry said.
The patients will receive patient ID and token through SMS and they will also be intimated about their number in the online queue. On their turn, a ‘call now’ button will be activated and using the same, the beneficiary concerned can initiate a video call with a specialist for consultation.
After the tele-consultation, an e-prescription will be generated. Using this, the patients can get medicines issued from their CGHS Wellness Centre.
The Ministry further said that the new tele-consultation services of CGHS will prove to be a boon for those CGHS beneficiaries who are in need of consultation with specialists, but in the times of COVID-19 are not able to move out.
To begin with, specialist consultation under the services will be available for Medicine, Orthopaedics, Eye and ENT.
-ARK
