Free Online Doctor Consultation in India via Video Call [Incl. TN, Kerala]
A National Teleconsultation Service is being operated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Here are the links,
Website: https://esanjeevaniopd.in/
Android App: eSanjeevaniopd on Google play store
So the eSanjeevani OPD is an Online Telemedicine service by Govt. Doctors who interact with you via a Video Call and/or chat, know your health issues and generate an online e-prescription which you can use to procure medicines.
This service is free of cost to any Indian citizen. You will be attended by a Doctor from your state (if/when available online).
There are specific timings for Doctor availability in each state – see this page for state-wise Doctor availability and timing details.
I visited the website on a Sunday evening and I still found 49 Doctors from Tamil Nadu and 8 Doctors from Kerala although they were supposed to be available only on weekdays!
Here are the Salient Points you need to know about eSanjeevani Video Consultation with Doctor Health Service in India –
- First you need to register your mobile no. online or on the app. You will get a patient ID which will be your permanent record no.
- You can request a token for an appointment with your patient ID and you will receive a token no.
- You’ll have to wait until your turn [You can see the token no. being serviced currently] and then dial into a video call once intimated about your turn. You can do that directly from a chrome browser on a computer/laptop or via the Android app. [The website says iOS app will also be launched soon]
- You can interact with the Doctor via the Video call or chat [You can talk to a general consultant or a specialist consultant – if available for your state, based on your selection while requesting for the token]
- The doctor will generate a prescription that you can download or take a screenshot.
- In case you are not able to dial into the video call for 120 seconds after your turn arrives, you’ll be pushed a few slots down the queue.
- You’ll receive sms throughout the process. Don’t delete these.
- You can upload your current health records and maintain everything digitally in a single place through this service for easy access in the future.
I think this is a good initiative that can be very useful during these lockdown times (or even in normal times) to get a first/initial consultation or opinion.
You can also register your old parents or little kids as family members and consult on behalf of them too. Right now this service is restricted only to allopathic doctors.
I didn’t try this service yet, but I may. I’ll update this page if I do.
Destination Infinity
Informative post. Really happy that technology is being in such useful manner.
Ya, I think this is also enabling public healthcare reach different sections of society.
Destination Infinity
Sir,
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Excellent first step. But I would rather see my own doctor via this application. Suppose there is an older patient, his personal doctor will know the history of the patient. Either he has to take time and tell his whole history or the doctor will hear the current problem and prescribe a medicine. That will land the patient in trouble. Also, the doctor should have the patience to listen to the patient’s history. However this is an excellent program and patients should be able to meet their own doctor via this application.
Or, I have another suggestion. There should be a online registry of patients (like in USA). In that case, a doctor in Pune can talk to a patient in Lalgudi. Before coming on line the Pune doctor will have the entire history of this Lalgudi patient.
I think they are trying to get patient medical records online, but it’s going to be a big challenge in India – at least to make people do it themselves!
That’s a good idea – to enable private doctors and patients to use this as a platform to connect. I wonder why that was not there already. Meity, the Govt. organization behind this is already trying to make a zoom like app for video meetings, let’s hope they could extend telemedicine too to everyone. Otherwise, it’s a good idea for a startup 🙂
Currently, people who are unable to travel/live far away or people who might want a second opinion/with small ailments might find this app useful.
Destination Infinity