The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) continues its impressive online services while reaching the patients.
A total of 28,447 patients utilised PHCC virtual services in March, according to a report by the local Arabic daily Arrayah.
Sources with the PHCC said that the service continues to provide access to healthcare and refill medications without the need to visit health centres.
Patients can access urgent medical consultations with a physician via telephone or video conference by calling 16000 and selecting the second option, or by calling the alternative number 107.
If the physician then determines that a patient needs a physical examination, the patient is referred to the PHCC’s walk-in service at the nearest health centre or Hamad Medical Corporation, as appropriate.
The patients can also book an appointment through the PHCC's Nar'aakom app.
The virtual consultations are provided in specialities including emergency medical care, family medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology, physiotherapy, cardiology, home healthcare and mental health services.
Urgent care services, according to the sources, are available for patients registered in the PHCCs at Leabaib, Qatar University, Al-Thumama, Al-Wajba, Airport, West Bay, Omar Bin Al-Khattab, Al-Wakra, Mesaimeer and Madinat Khalifa, where they can benefit from them upon request 24 hours a day.
“During the virtual consultation via video or phone, patients receive a level of care equal to what they receive during a personal appointment in health centres,” the sources said. “The doctors follow up with them to inquire about their condition to determine the most appropriate treatment and answer any questions.”
“If the patient's condition requires any physical examination or additional treatment, the doctor will make appropriate referrals,” the sources added.
The PHCC launched virtual consultations during the coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown.
The latest community call centre technology is used by the corporation to serve the patients.
Meanwhile, 233 people have benefited from the PHCC’s home delivery service of medicines.
The service continued during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, and the call centre 16,000 continued to provide urgent telephone consultations around the clock.
The PHCC, the sources said, provided diagnostic and therapeutic services to 359,742 patients in 31 health centres across the country throughout March.
The health and wellness services wing received 233 people at health coach clinics while 173 beneficiaries visited the healthy lifestyle clinic, and 598 people used the swimming pools.
A total of 2,106 people used the gym.
