It has been over a year since COVID-19 proved to be a threat to mankind. It has been mercilessly challenging our healthcare system; doctors and frontline workers. The healthcare infrastructure in our country moved from strength to strength and adapted to the challenges thrown its way. MediBuddy, India’s largest digital healthcare platform has been a catalyst in this paradigm shift in recent times.
As a trusted healthcare partner, MediBuddy witnesses a growth of 76% since February 2021 when second wave started touching its peak. Insights and data from the healthcare platform revealed they received maximum queries around 5 departments – COVID-19 Related Care (104%), Mental Health (82%), Women’s Health (73%), Pediatrics (56%) and Orthopaedics (52%).
The data suggests that most queries received by the platform in the past few months have revolved around COVID-19 symptoms. Amid the second wave, India witnessed record-high cases and an increase in positivity rate. Users were more aware, cautious, and sought medical assistance for common COVID-19 symptoms such as cold, fever, cough, breathlessness, etc. As a precautionary measure to monitor their health and to get additional help if required.
The pandemic coupled with the lockdown has also been an extremely challenging time for a lot of individuals across the country and has taken a major toll on one’s mental health. In these uncertain times, with work stress, relationship issues, loneliness, anxiety, and other stressors, people increasingly sought out medical assistance to keep their mental wellbeing in check.
The platform also observed a steep increase in queries related to intimate and women’s health. The sedentary lifestyles in addition to stress and other issues have resulted in rise of ailments in young women. Users consulted medical practitioners on the platform for various health issues pertaining to PCOS, vaginal yeast infection, birth control methods, etc.
Additionally, the platform witnessed increase in queries from parents with regards to cough and cold in babies, missed vaccination cycles, fever, UTI, diarrhea, etc. Telemedicine has helped assure parents that, there is in fact a pediatrician available for them 24*7 or whenever they need help with anything bothering their little ones.
Furthermore, the platform also received orthopaedic-related queries such as joint pain, spinal issues, knee pain, muscle pain and back pain which is increasingly becoming a common issue across all age groups and gender. With extended lockdowns and lifestyle measures that have largely bound people to their desks and has restricted physical activity have resulted in the rise of medical assistance for orthopaedic ailments.
Talking about the same, Satish Kannan, Co-founder & CEO, MediBuddy said, “The last few months have been challenging for our healthcare system. Individuals across the country are turning to teleconsultations first-hand for across all departments to take care of themselves and their loved ones. As their trusted buddy, we are extremely humbled that our platform has been a continued source of trusted medical consultations for people in these testing times. We pledge to continue support our users and honour our commitment to provide Indians access to high-quality healthcare.”
Dr. Gowri Kulkarni, Head of Medical Operations, MediBuddy, further said, “In challenging times like these, telemedicine has been a strong source of support for patients and healthcare workers. While frontline doctors continue to dedicatedly service patients suffering from COVID-19, telemedicine has helped support people seeking medical consultations across all departments. Through MediBuddy, doctors are closer and more accessible to help more individuals access high-quality healthcare across the country.”
To lend their full support to state governments administering vaccination drives; MediBuddy, India’s largest digital healthcare platform has tied up with 350+ top hospitals across 130 cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Noida, and Kochi to further strengthen the vaccine rollout across the country. MediBuddy will be facilitating vaccinations for over 700 corporates that support 15 million individuals at vaccination camps.
Amid the second wave, MediBuddy launched several initiatives such as Hospital Bed Availability Tracker, a 24×7 helpline number and a Coronavirus Risk Assessment Tool to help tackle the surge of coronavirus infection and contribute its bit in combating the virus.
