Ayala Group launches all-in-one health app

MANILA, Philippines — Globe Telecom Inc.’s 917Ventures and Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AC Health) will be making available by next month an all-in-one health app that seeks to cater to the healthcare needs of users anytime and anywhere.

Globe said 917Ventures and AC Health have teamed up to create HealthNow, an app which will allow users to consult a doctor through video, buy medicine for delivery, and book clinic and lab appointments.

The mobile app will be powered by the assets of 917Ventures and AC Health, which include KonsultaMD, FamilyDOC, Healthway, and Generika.

Globe said the HealthNow mobile app would be available for download in Google Play and App Store in August.

“When COVID-19 struck the country, there has been a massive shift in consumer behavior from passive to active participation in health, creating more demand for convenience and transparency,” 917Ventures managing partner Issa Cabreira said.

“Since it is our mission to solve the most prevalent problems plaguing the Philippines, we found it necessary to prioritize the delivery of healthcare to our fellow Filipinos who are in need of medical attention especially in this trying time,” Cabreira said.

HealthNow was initially offered as a website that provided  free video teleconsultation from volunteer doctors.

According to Globe, over 11,000 patient requests were received and more than 100 volunteer doctors were pooled from April to June.

The pilot, it said, has proven the need for patients and doctors to be digitally connected for better healthcare.

Globe earlier reported that affiliate KonsultaMD, a 24/7 subscription-based telehealth service, registered a 450 percent jump in the number of consultations in April compared to January.

“With the current pandemic, it’s not easy for Filipinos to take care of their health. There have been delays in seeking medical help due to fear of contracting the virus when they go out to visit a doctor’s clinic or a pharmacy,” Globe said.

“Healthcare providers, on the other hand, are also facing a challenge, as they have to handle a tremendous volume of patients while making sure that everyone receives the appropriate help at the right time,” it said.

Globe said the contactless delivery of health services through telemedicine is advocated by the Department of Health as a way to relieve hospitals of non-critical cases and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, especially among vulnerable members of society.