Easy Asthma & COPD Clinics (EACCs), GlaxoSmithKline (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (GSK), and True Group have jointly launched the "Telehealth Together," an online clinic for good health project, leveraging telemedicine technology via the "True HEALTH" intelligent healthcare platform to provide access to medical treatment faster and more efficient. The project will address patients with three respiratory diseases, which are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and nasal allergies, who need ongoing treatment but are not able to visit hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, the pilot project will involve 15 hospitals that are facing demands for telehealth services.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Watchara Boonsawat, Chairman of the Easy Asthma & Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Clinics (EACCs), said, "The EACCs are committed to promoting the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using a more systematic approach that meets international standards. Over the past 17 years, more than 1,300 clinics have opened in provincial and community hospitals nationwide, serving more than 600,000 patients. Around three million Thais suffer from asthma. With the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with respiratory diseases are unable to access medical treatment in healthcare facilities due to travel restrictions and the risk of infection. As a result, the number of services provided by each hospital's outpatient department has decreased significantly. This makes it more challenging for patients to access to medical treatment, which may affect the health of those with severe symptoms."
"Technology plays an important role in ensuring access to medical treatment and improving services. The cooperation between GSK and True Group in the 'Telehealth Together', an online clinic for good health project, will help patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and nasal allergies to receive ongoing treatment even in remote areas. This means a better quality of life for the patients. It also offers holistic benefits to patients and society in line with the 'New Normal' health service management strategy that the National Health Security Office (NHSO) is emphasizing in 2021," he added.
Mr. Viriya Chongphaisal, General Manager of GlaxoSmithKline (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said that GSK, which researches and develops innovative drugs and vaccines, aims to make access to healthcare services for Thai people more standardized and efficient under the "Access to Medicines" policy. He explained: "The 'Telehealth Together', an online clinic for good health project, is being initiated in partnership with Easy Asthma & COPD Clinics (EACCs) and the True Group to use telemedicine technology via the 'True HEALTH' intelligent healthcare platform, that supports patients who need counseling as part of their treatment. It allows patients to see a doctor and receive relevant services via the project's online platform. GSK will provide scientific information and related health innovations that benefit the development of this online platform, so it fits the current situation. It can also make access to treatment more efficient for patients in remote areas, provide information about the project, and help medical personnel educate people about respiratory diseases. The pilot project will initially involve 15 hospitals where there is a demand for telehealth. We expect it to expand to more than 100 hospitals by 2022, and more than 500 the year after."
Mr. Natwut Amornvivat, President (Co), True Corporation Plc. said, "True Group, Thailand's leading integrated telecommunications and digital services provider, promotes and drives the use of telecommunications and digital technologies to enhance work and life, as well as driving businesses in all industry sectors in the best interests of Thai people and the country. For this collaboration, True Group has brought integrated telecommunications technology and True Digital's expertise, combining with medical and public health services to expand the features on 'True HEALTH' intelligent healthcare platform. Patients with respiratory diseases will be able to receive medical treatment via our online platform conveniently, quickly, and easily with no time and location restrictions while still receiving the same services as they do at the hospital. The service will also provide better safety during the COVID-19 pandemic by eliminating the need to travel and reduces the risk of infection from communities."
"Patients can access the EACC clinic via True HEALTH application to make an appointment and get real-time consultation with their personal doctors by call, chat or video call that allows them to see the doctor for ongoing treatment. The True HEALTH intelligent healthcare platform is also convenient for doctors as they can consult with patients at the appointed time, make notes, and use the platform to immediately access patients' medical treatment history and provide consultation. This use of digital technology helps improve the quality of life for Thai people and will increase the productivity of medical personnel so they can take care of more patients, especially during times of crisis," he concluded.