If you have any need to consult with a doctor on COVID-19, then here's the hotline to call. The Department of Health launched a new 24/7 COVID-19 hotline on April 7 through which they provide free telemedicine consultations for residents of the National Capital Region. You can have over-the-phone consultations for all COVID-19-related concerns and non-COVID-19 primary care consultations.
The Health Department partnered with Telimed Management, Inc., and Medgate to provide this service. All doctors are licensed and certified to give telemedicine consultations. It's also available 24/7.
For those outside of the Metro, you can reach the DOH COVID-19 hotline at 894-26843 (COVID) for free. Smart and PLDT subscribers can dial 1555 for free. For other networks, some charges may apply.
Other Help Desks
The Lung Center of the Philippines, one of the COVID-19 referral hospitals in Metro Manila, also launched its Lung Center COVID Ask Force. On this Facebook page, users can consult and ask doctors about COVID-19 online. Just note that clinic hours are from 8 am to 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cut-off time for each session is at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. respectively.
For mental health concerns, the National Care for Mental Health also offers its professional services. Call its hotlines at +63917 899-8727 (USAP) or +632 899-8727 (USAP) or via the Mind Matters hotline +63918 942-4864.
All About Telemedicine
Telemedicine consultations are done via phone or video-conferencing. It's primarily helpful for people caring for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms or persons in self-isolation or under home quarantine.
Telemedicine also addresses people's medical concerns if they can't or would rather not go to clinics or hospitals for a medical checkup in fear of contracting COVID-19. People who are at high-risk of getting infected such as the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems can use telemedicine for non-emergency concerns.
According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), telemedicine consultations are helpful in the following aspects:
- Providing non-primary care for patients who live far from hospitals or doctor's clinics
- Encouraging patients to seek early consultation that doesn't require them going out of the house before their symptoms get worse
- Close monitoring of a patient's condition
Aside from the DOH COVID-19 Hotline and Lung Center Ask COVID Facebook page, below are more companies that provide telemedicine consults:
Doctors of MD Link Healthcare provides free medical consultation via different chat apps such as Facebook Messenger and Viber during the duration of the quarantine. You may contact them at 0922-828-0357 or 0922-867-2525.
Hi-Precision Diagnostics's free medical consultation schedule is from Mondays to Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Just call +632 8741-7777, then press 3. You can also call 0943-135-1858 and 0933-823-1119 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
KonsultaMD has a team of doctors who can handle questions on how to deal with various medical concerns, including COVID-19, for a minimal fee. You may get in touch with them at 7798-8000 or dial 79880 for Globe and TM subscribers.
For more individual healthcare providers that also provide telemedicine consultation, visit this site.