UAE healthcare group Aster to offer free telemedicine service and Covid-19 helpline

Dubai-based Aster DM Healthcare has rolled out a free teleconsultation service across its Medcare, Aster Hospital and Aster Clinic facilities in the UAE, allowing patients to remotely consult qualified doctors for all their ailments.

Read: Dubai to provide residents free medical consultation on coronavirus

Patients can book an appointment with a general practitioner including paediatricians by visiting the website of the respective clinic or hospital under the group and then scheduling a remote video consultation.

The doctors will advise patients should they require an in-person consultation for further testing or to issue prescriptions.

Read: Healthcare group Aster gets approval for 100% ownership of its business in Dubai

Home delivery service for medicines and pharmacy products would be available across the UAE.

Customers can call 800-700600 to speak to a pharmacist to order the medicines and they can also send their prescription via WhatsApp to 800-700600.

Those who want information regarding Covid-19 related conditions can reach out to a medical professional through the Aster call centre at 04-4400500.

“Home Quarantine, social distancing and stay-at-home announced by authorities are crucial measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. In the circumstances where people are unable to move out of their homes and offices, we wanted to ensure that our patients continue to receive the best possible care. The launch of Aster Tele Consultation will hopefully provide everyone the access to their doctors remotely along with the supply of medicines at their doorsteps. Any patient requiring treatment shall be referred to the few clinics which remain open as well as to the Aster hospitals, if warranted,” said Dr Azad Moopen, founder chairman and managing director, Aster DM Healthcare.

With the UAE increasingly urging residents to stay at home as part of coronavirus precautionary measures, the country’s attorney general Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has said that a Dhs1,000 fine will be levied on anyone unnecessarily visiting health facilities in the country.

Read: Covid-19 spread: UAE issues updated list of fines for violations

On March 11, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said that all Dubai residents can contact the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) via voice or video calls 24/7 for free medical consultations regarding the Covid-19 coronavirus.