Digital health during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

Abstract

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The virus rapidly spread in different countries across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a pandemic on the 11th March 2020.1 The pandemic has revealed many areas of public health preparedness those are lacking both in developed and developing countries. Digital interventions provide many opportunities for strengthening health systems.2 It could be a vital resources and could play a critical role in global response to this public health emergency.
 Digital health is the use of digital information and communication technologies for efficient and timely delivery of health care services, aimed at promoting and protecting the health of the individuals and communities. Furthermore, digital technologies are also being used for conducting monitoring and surveillance of the health programmes, health education, research, development of human resources including continued professional development, risk analysis speacially the risk commucation. Data being generated through services, research, monitoring and surveillance are also used for health management and decision making.
 Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2020; 46(2): 66-67

Consumer side economic perception of telemedicine during COVID-19 era: A survey on Bangladesh's perspective

“…The true rise of telemedicine began after the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Private and public institutions used these to aid those in suburban or rural regions and give a set of guidelines to curb the spread of the virus [ 22 ].…”

Impact of TeleHealth Services through “Shastho Batayon 16263” for Tackling the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

“…Therefore, to preserve public health and right to remain safe, Bangladesh has been promoting e-health services which includes telehealth, video consultation and so on. But the digital health service was inaugurated in Bangladesh long before the outbreak began [2,3].…”

“…To use the service of Shastho Batayon, dialing 16263 from any phone or health related apps is only thing to reach healthcare professionals and health information officers who can give evaluations, treatment and counseling, referral services, emergency ambulance services, and complaint management based on the needs of the customer. Primary health care is uninterruptedly provided by the doctors of Shastho Batayon, but if required patients are referred to medical specialists, Government or private health facilities in terms of getting higher level of health services [2,7].…”

Telemedicine Services of ‘Shasthyo Batayon 16263’ During COVID-19 Pandemic: Opportunities and Challenges

“…since long before the COVID-19 pandemic. 1 The National Telehealth services is known as 'ShasthyoBatayon16263' that was inaugurated by the honorable Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)on April 2016. The objectives are to provide low cost, efficient and timely delivery of general health care services in 24/7 by medical doctors and counsellors.…”

“…9 It has been mention that, in july 2020, the Bangladesh has developed telemedicine guidelines, which will be a key enabler in of stering the growth of telemedicine which is being utilized by more healthcare practitioners and patients in a wide variety of forms. 1,10 Citizens are able to access telehealth services and proven as the high impact digital health solutions for preventing diseases and saving lives. 11…”