In order to facilitate consultations with specialists by CGHS beneficiaries through virtual mode without physically visiting a healthcare facility, CGHS has started teleconsultation services w.e.f. 25 August. Initially, these services will be available to beneficiaries in Delhi/NCR. The e-services are available between 9.00 am and 12 noon on all working days.
CGHS teleconsultation services are using the existing e-Sanjeevani platform of the Health Ministry. For ease of use, this platform has been linked with the ID of the beneficiaries. For availing specialist OPD services, the beneficiaries are required to register on the platform using their mobile number after which an OTP will be generated for verification purposes. After verification, the beneficiaries can log on to the system, fill patient registration form, request for a token and upload health records (if required).
The patients will receive patient ID and token through SMS and they will also be intimated about their number in the online queue. On their turn, a ‘call now’ button will be activated and using the same, the beneficiary concerned can initiate a video call with a specialist for a consultation. After the teleconsultation, an e-prescription will be generated. Using this, the patients can get medicines issued from their CGHS Wellness Centre.
The new teleconsultation services of CGHS will prove to be a boon for those CGHS beneficiaries who are in need of consultation with specialists but in the times of COVID-19 are not able to move out.
To begin with, specialist consultants will be available for the following specialities:
- Medicine
- Orthopaedics
- Eye
- ENT
For regular OPD services, each CGHS beneficiary is attached to a particular Wellness Centre (WC) although the beneficiaries can avail OPD services at any WC anywhere in the country. For availing of consultations with specialists, CGHS beneficiaries get referred by the Medical Officers of their WCs (for senior citizens such referral from the WCs is not required).