Tele-medicine for poor at affordable rates

A health scheme for the poor, including entrepreneurs from economically weaker background, aims at providing quality healthcare at affordable rates via telephone and video conferencing.

With calls at as low as Rs 50 per consultation, the scheme will cover the customers and families of Equitas Micro Finance India Pvt Ltd. Physicians of Indraprastha Apollo
Hospitals will provide medical help on telephone or over video conferencing. The scheme will work jointly with HealthNet Global Ltd and will be funded by FEM S3.

Tele-medicine can enable a patient to get the service of doctors even in remote areas, without the need of the patient’s physical presence at the doctor’s place. The patient data is collected, such as family history, biometrics, etc. The data is stored and shared among healthcare professionals to diagnose, treat and follow-up.

Benefits include access to healthcare for patients living in urban slums and remote areas, especially during emergency; reduced healthcare delivery cost, and reduced travel cost.

The facility will be available at Equitas branch offices.