By HARIZAH KAMEL
MALAYSIA-BASED telemedicine service provider Doc2Us is calling for doctors and healthcare professionals (HCPs) to join the Doc2Us Covid-19 task force.
The voluntary-based task force is to help the public gain adequate information about the spread and management of the Covid-19 pandemic and reduce patient-medical healthcare specialist contact.
“There are many messages going around chat platforms and groups about alleged tips and old wives’ tales on how to prevent or cure Covid-19.
“Many of these messages can harm public health as they are not sanctioned by the World Health Organisation and the Health Ministry (MoH),” Doc2Us CEO Dr Raymond Choy said in a statement last Friday.
The service would allow the general public to ask medical or general questions related to Covid-19 for free.
The task force will provide information about the spread of Covid- 19, the symptoms, as well as proper hygiene, quarantine or social distancing steps that must be taken during this time.
Medical health specialist volunteers will advise callers, who claim or show symptoms similar to those of Covid-19, to head to a public healthcare channel, after which the MoH will take appropriate measures to screen them.
“Doc2Us would like to help ease public concern and offer easy access to verified information from the safety of their own homes.
“This is an opportunity for doctors and HCPs to volunteer their time and expertise without putting themselves at risk,” said Dr Choy.
He believes the time and expertise of the task force will contribute positively amid the current public health crisis.
“We also urge those who exhibit symptoms resembling a Covid-19 infection to reach out to MoH for screening and the next necessary steps.”
On choosing the appropriate Covid-19 test, Doc2Us said health- care workers, who have been in contact with positive cases, and those who had travelled to high- risk countries and have fever, cough and shortness of breath should get tested, which costs between RM700 and RM1,200.
The elderly, aged 65 years and above, as well as those with chronic diseases such as heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes and lung disease, are also recommended to get tested.
Those who have mild or no symptoms but are curious about their Covid-19 status can also get tested, but at a cheaper rate of between RM90 and RM99.
With positive cases for Covid-19 escalating, the country is resorting to stricter measures to contain the virus.
Additionally, the MoH has been sending out tips, reminders and appeals through SMS to the public, urging people who are showing symptoms to contact the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre hotline or immediately go to a health facility.
Original article: https://themalaysianreserve.com/2020/03/23/doc2us-calls-medical-professionals-to-join-covid-19-taskforce/
