The coronavirus pandemic has brought out a feeling of appreciation and respect towards doctors, nurses, and health and sanitation workers who are fighting against this deadly disease on the frontline, risking their lives every single day.
Unfortunately, there are people who still do not acknowledge the sacrifice these warriors are making for the country and society. It isn’t an exaggeration to call stone-pelting and spitting on these soldiers a heinous crime today. Imagine what would happen if they got infected and were forced to quarantine? Who would continue the efforts of saving the lives threatened by this horrendous cause?
What can I do to help?
No, you cannot go out and stop people from behaving the way they are, nor treat people with the basic medical knowledge you have. But, you can help the medics in your own tiny way, by adopting the practice of telemedicine.
What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine is the practice of delivering healthcare services through popular modes of communication, in today’s world, the mobile phone. These are ‘virtual’ visits to the doctor, which can be done from home. It also includes the purchase of medicines and other medicinal facilities through digital portals like through the phone or on the internet. The advent of telemedicine began 20 years earlier; however, it has found its ‘show-stopper’ moment amid this chaotic situation.
How can telemedicine help us?
If we can work from home, then why not get treated at home. Telemedicine is turning out to be a boon at the time when stepping out of the house is equivalent to inviting coronavirus home. The following are a few benefits of telemedicine that has come to light:
1. Lesser risk for healthcare workers
All the warriors who are fighting coronavirus through their services in the hospital or clinic are exposed to infectious diseases if they have a constant flurry of patients for regular check-ups. Any of them could be carrying the virus for all they know.
This forces them to equip themselves with protective gear, masks, and gloves. Just through the small step of saving yourself the effort to leave your house, you can limit the amount of risk they (and you as well) are exposed to. And it saves your fuel too!
2. Overcrowding of emergency rooms
Imagine yourself being admitted to an emergency ward because of nausea or dizziness only to find out that it hadn’t been serious at all. In fact, you just occupied a bed which could have been used for someone who really needed urgent attention.
Telemedicine allows you to get evaluated remotely. Econsults with doctors through a phone or tablet can save you from rushing to the immediate care units and eventually prevent overcrowding of emergency rooms, which is of extreme importance at the moment for our medical system to work efficiently.
3. Efficient use of medical resources
India is in a situation where we cannot afford to lose anyone who is involved in the treatment of Covid-19. These statistics show how limited our medical capacity is and making them unfit for service is just going to make the situation worse. In many parts of the country, due to the inhumane activities of the people, we have already lost a lot of our medical resources to quarantine.
They cannot serve in their jobs till they are either declared corona-negative or till they are rid of the poisonous virus. Telemedicine provides them with an opportunity to help people even when they are away. Consultation over the phone will save your visit to the clinic and also utilise the aid the staff in quarantine can provide.
Over to You…
India is leaving no stone unturned to ‘flatten the curve’. Being the second-most populous country of the world, an outbreak of coronavirus here will be nothing less than a catastrophe. Leaders, medics and citizens are working hand-in-hand to contain the damage. Start-ups like Practo and Portea, promise the best of medical services right at home with experienced doctors and staff. Pharmeasy has initiated self-assessment tools for you to check yourself in the comfort of your house. Apps like BeatO have been successful in providing a platform for calls and chats related to medical enquiries.
With the pandemic threatening to bring the world on its knees, using the boon of telemedicine is just a small bit you can contribute to help in this fight. Stay home, follow social distancing and soon you will wake up to a better tomorrow.
