As COVID-19 impacts the world economy, affecting daily life, and human health, these rapid changes have also created an environment of fear and anxiety. This mindset might potentially come from the information that we consume daily.
Coronavirus precaution tips, remedies, and essential advice has been circulating over various public forums and social media platforms ever since the breakout. Some are true, some are exaggerated, while some are actually harmful. Big tech companies such as Facebook and policymakers are finding ways to detect, monitor, and combat misinformation; however, it is difficult, if not impossible, to suppress the circulation of social media posts from individuals.
At a time like this, it is crucial to be mindful of sources we consume every day so that we do not become the carriers of misinformation.
e27 has reviewed three medtech startups who are positively combating distortion of health news as the virus continues to spread.
1. DoctorxDentist
Headquartered in Singapore, DoctorxDentist provides free-to-use medical information services for those who are curious about any significant illnesses published strictly by certified doctors.
Anyone is free to publish their medical questions; however, after which only doctors and specialists are allowed to reply to the enquiries.
However, in order to keep the process transparent, doctors are given ratings by patients who have “consulted” them only on the platform for which users need to register themselves through the portal.
2. Whitecoat
Whitecoat is a virtual healthcare platform that offers services such as online diagnosis, treatment, medical referrals, and offers delivery of medication anywhere in Singapore.
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During a crucial time when social distancing is highly recommended, using a virtual platform to consult doctors is highly advisable.
To use the platform, one has to download the app, sign up, select symptoms and pick a doctor or have one assigned. After the consultation, medicine is directly delivered within 90 minutes of consultation.
3. Lifetrack Medical Systems
Lifetrack Medical Systems offers radiology solutions that allow customers to scale and integrate their radiology operations in a cost and time-efficient way.
Based in the Philippines, the company is led by a team of health and technology veterans from the US and the Philippines with the goal of making healthcare software human.
Even though the following company is not a blog, since there is a growing need to rapidly diagnose cases, the project is appealing to people to crowd-source a COVID-19 image repository. It will be “freely available for individuals, medical institutions, hospitals, health departments and health ministries” to share their COVID-19 chest CT images globally.
4. Halodoc
Indonesian online-based health app Halodoc provides health solutions to facilitate easy access to healthcare. It also works closely with Prodia (laboratory) making it easy for users to conduct health checks, both at home or in office.
Gojek and Halodoc together have launched free online medical consultation services for Indonesians experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms.
Through the check (available on the Gojek app and links to Halodoc’s app), users can conduct a self-assessment if they are doubtful of their condition and share their travel histories. According to the answers, further diagnosis will be made, and a COVID-19 assessment at a government hospital might be facilitated.
” Those who complete the self-assessment and are categorized as low-risk will receive educational materials on preventative health measures and can access Halodoc’s ongoing telemedicine services to deal with other symptoms,” according to the company statement.
At a time like this, e27 thanks not only Southeast Asian startups but all other companies around the world who are helping people to get past through this uncertain time.
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