RAFI micro-finance launches free virtual consultation service

CEBU, Philippines —  RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. (RAFI MFI) has launched a free virtual consultation service for the benefit of its clients who may be reluctant to go to a hospital or healthcare facility during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The virtual service, which can be accessed online or via text, was set up in partnership with the Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital (CDUH) and Cebu Medical Society (CMS), a component society of the Philippine Medical Association.

“This Doctors on Call-Cebu was primarily organized to assist those patients who can’t go to the clinic or hospital due to this pandemic, to assist those non-COVID cases. We have consultations from Luzon and Mindanao besides from the Visayas,” said CMS President Dr. Leticia Abinuman in a statement.

At present, there are over 50 private practitioners who offer their services for free.

“Our consultation is free and some (patients) send pictures through messenger. It is good the drugstores honor our online prescriptions,” Dr. Abinuman added.

Under the Department of Health-National Privacy Commission Joint Memorandum Circular, medical consultations over the phone, chat, SMS, and other audio and visual conferencing platforms are considered telemedicine services. Healthcare providers conducting these consultations are allowed to issue online prescriptions.

Additional information about the virtual consultation was shared to RAFI MFI’s official Facebook page—RAFI Micro-finance, Inc.—with over 10,000 followers. As of this writing, the post has reached more than 13,000 people.

For his part, RAFI MFI Chief Operating Officer Jonar Dorado said the virtual service provides easy access for clients and non-clients to find, contact and meet with a doctor online—all from the privacy of their homes.

“The free confidential teleconsultation enables them to have access to health services wherever they are, as long as they can call or access the social media. This initiative also promotes wellbeing in the face of this COVID-19 crisis,” he said.

RAFI MFI vowed to continue monitoring the social and health needs of its micro-entrepreneur clients and extend assistance to the extent possible.

“To our micro-entrepreneur clients, we would like to assure you of RAFI MFI’s commitment to serve and journey with you towards recovery.  We have implemented immediate precautionary measures to ensure your safety and the safety of our people during the enhanced community quarantine,” Dorado said.

“We have developed new products and services to help you as we resume our operations. As of now, we are adjusting our processes to adapt to the new way of working and finding alternative delivery channels to make our services more accessible to you,” noted Dorado.

As the world battles the pandemic, RAFI MFI continues to uphold its mission of elevating the lives of the people in the community by providing financial and non-financial services to help every micro-entrepreneur rise above these challenging times.

“Believe that together, we will paddle and weather these challenges. Sa RAFI MFI, walang iwanan! We are praying for you and your family’s safety and good health,” Dorado concluded.