DIGITAL health platform DoctorOnCall has announced partnerships with insurance companies and health industry players to expand its digital access to healthcare.
Great Eastern Life Malaysia and Great Eastern Takaful Berhad are the first insurer and takaful operator respectively in Malaysia to partner with DoctorOnCall to include telemedicine as an optional benefit in their medical suite of products, the startup said in a statement.
With these partnerships, its customers will not only be able to seek medical advice with a general practitioner, but also purchase medication through prescription online with free delivery, the company said.
Customers are able to book an appointment with a specialist for online or in-clinic consultation, and book a slot for home screening procedures such as Covid-19 test and health screening, among others, it added.
“We are delighted to announce our very timely strategic partnership with DoctorOnCall, allowing us to provide our customers access to healthcare in a safe and convenient manner,” said Koh Yaw Hui, chief executive officer (CEO) of Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad.
“We constantly strive to go the extra mile to help support our customers during times when healthcare is of utmost importance to them. Our customers can also look forward to exclusive offers on health related items through this partnership.”
Shahrul Azlan Shahriman, CEO of Great Eastern Takaful Berhad, said accelerating the adoption of digital health cards will enhance healthcare accessibility amongst the underserved communities, especially in areas where healthcare facilities are lacking.
“With this telemedicine service, we will be able to provide immediate and seamless healthcare benefits to meet our customers' needs beyond hospitalisation,” he said.
Besides Great Eastern, Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara and Columbia Asia have inked a partnership agreement with DoctorOnCall in pursuit of providing immediate access to patients via DoctorOnCall's Digital Health Platform, the startup said.
"With DoctorOnCall powering our Thomson Hospital Online telehealth platform, we will be able to integrate our healthcare services from consultation and counselling services to prescription and product sales,” said Nadiah Wan, CEO of Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara.
“Telehealth creates an alternative way for patients and practitioners to remain in contact or for patients to visit specialists they would ordinarily not have access to,” said Maran Virumandi, managing director and co-founder of DoctorOnCall
Hazwan Najib, co-founder and director of DoctorOnCall, added, “Malaysia is five to 10 years behind in telemedicine as compared to countries like the United States, India and China, but we are working closely with our stakeholders, such as Great Eastern, Columbia Asia and Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara to close that gap and become a leader in digital healthcare.”