MBMC uses telemedicine to expand medical services during shutdown

The health department of the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has teamed up with private doctors in the twin-city, to launch a tele-medicine project so patients can seek free medical consultations and prescriptions for minor ailments by making phone calls or also through video conferencing services during the lockdown period.

The civic administration has released a list of around 50 registered medical practitioners including- general physicians, pediatricians, surgeons, gynecologists and orthopedics along with their contact details and consultation timings. The list is being uploaded on MBMC’s official website and various social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.

Outlining the importance of tele-medicine, where social distancing is a must in the wake of high risk of contagious infections, Dr. Rajeev Agarwal of Kasturi Hospital in Bhayandar, said, “I am glad to be part of this cause, so far I have received nearly 45 phone calls- mostly from people having fever.”

However, activists are questioning about how the poor and disposessed can make good use of these facilities.

“It is good that the MBMC has launched tele and video conferencing facilities. How will the poor and illiterate people will get treated when most small clinics and dispensaries are closed?,”questioned social activist Rohit Suvarna.

However some doctors have agreed to extend their consultation facilities by physically remaining present at the public health centers from Monday to Saturday between 9 am to 1 pm. Meanwhile, tele-medicine can minimise the transmission of infectious diseases reducing the risks to both health care workers and patients.