Aster begins online consultation and home delivery of medicines

ASTER DM Healthcare Qatar has started online consultations and home delivery of medicines for patients to support the country’s efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Even though there is faceto-face consultation at Aster medical centres, especially for first-time visitors, online consultation is more suitable for patients doing follow-ups – especially those with diabetes, hypertension and cardiac issues – in view of the current situation.

In a statement, CEO of Aster Qatar Dr Sameer Moopan said, “The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has issued several regulations to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in the country in three different modalities. We have strictly enforced all these regulations and reduced the number, or stopped, all elective procedures as per the guidelines of the MoPH. We have also reduced most outpatient services at both Aster medical centres and the hospital.” According to Dr Moopan, several measures have been put in place at Aster facilities to reduce crowding in the waiting areas.

He said, “We have increased the number of slots for appointment. We have started online consultation for twothirds of the patients. For the online consultations, currently we are using Zoom platform, which is very common among the public and later we might introduce other facilities also.

“The chairs at waiting areas have been specially arranged to ensure social distancing. We are informing our patients to use our online appointment system which reduces waiting time. At some facilities, we advise patients to wait in their own cars after registration until we call them as per the waiting list. Most importantly, after the initial consultation we are informing patients to use online consultation for follow-up.”

He explained that a doctor will do the consultation online and prescribe medicines. “We have a facility for home delivery of medicines free of cost. This is an approved process by the drug control department of the MoPH. So we can deliver the prescribed medicines at the doorsteps of patents.”

Dr Moopan said that only urgent cases need to be seen in the clinics with reports. “In all other cases, we will make appointments for radiology and lab investigations as the case may be. Or even, they can give the sample and leave at the time of visit. Once the reports are ready, we will initiate the online consultation and treatment.”

He added that all the staff members have been divided into three groups with 10 days of duty for each group. “We are using only one-third of the staff and we will change them every 10 days so that even if anyone is exposed to Covid-19, the rest of the staff will be safe.”

One can go to https:/ / tinyurl.com/Asterfollowup to register for online appointment.