In light of the rising COVID-19 cases in Qatar, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) had recently announced that it will be restarting its telephone consultation services with the aim of reducing physical visits to their clinics.

Dr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Head of Urology at HMC, had pointed out that although patients will need to adjust to receiving consultation services via telephone, most medical problems can be resolved by telemedicine.

With the safety of the public in mind, the introduction of telemedicine aims to bridge the gap between the hospital and patients during this period of uncertainty.

According to Al Rumaihi, “Similar to the arrangements done during the beginning of the pandemic, all new and follow up appointments across the HMC hospitals will be over the telephone until the number of COVID-19 cases reduces.” 

"Every patient who has an appointment at any of the HMC hospitals will be contacted and a telephone consultation will be fixed with the attending physician. The doctor will arrange a face-to-face appointment if needed and the patient will be informed by the clinic,” he added.

All patients that require face-to-face or virtual appointments will be decided by the attending physician during the consultation.

Moreover, patients that require radiology and laboratory services will be connected to the concerned departments along with the sharing of electronic medical records.

Urgent Care Consultation services, issuing sick leave certificates remotely, and medication refill delivery to the home of patients will also continue.

Dr. Rumaihi stressed the importance of following all of the COVID-19 precautionary measures while urging the public to wear a mask at all times and maintaining social distancing when outside.

One can access the urgent consultation service by calling 16000 between 8 am and 3 pm on weekdays.

For more information on HMC, please visit hamad.qa

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Source: The Peninsula