Leveraging Telecommunications Infrastructure

AAR Healthcare Kenya’s telemedicine services utilize Kenya’s expanding mobile phone connectivity to deliver medical consultations remotely. This innovative approach ensures easy access to health information and consultation services with general practitioners, nutritionists, psychologists, and chronic care program nurses.

Telemedicine offers several unique benefits

1. Accessibility and Convenience: Telemedicine provides easy access to health information at the customer’s convenience, eliminating the need for travel to distant healthcare facilities.
2. Cost-Effective Services: With a consultation fee of Ksh. 400, telemedicine offers an affordable alternative to traditional in-person consultations.
3. Reaching Remote Areas: Telemedicine brings medical care to regions where hospitals are not present, ensuring broader access to essential health services.
4. Comprehensive Consultations: Services include consultations with General Practitioners (GPs), nutritionists, psychologists, and chronic care program nurses. It also complements dial-a-lab and dial-a-dawa services for holistic healthcare.

Diagnosis and Treatment through Telemedicine

Diagnosis: Telemedicine facilitates the diagnosis of chronic depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions through detailed personal care and history reviews. Using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) or the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), virtual doctors can effectively address mental health concerns.
Treatment: Virtual doctors can prescribe medications for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Prescriptions can also be sent to the patient’s pharmacy immediately after appointments. For conditions requiring in-person support, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, virtual care can manage medication refills and monitor stability.

Encouraging Conversations and Early Intervention

The stigma around mental health can prevent individuals from seeking help. Telemedicine platforms provide a safe and private way for people to receive counselling and support. Encouraging open communication can help individuals express their feelings and seek professional help before their condition worsens.
By leveraging telemedicine, we can make significant strides in improving mental health care accessibility and reducing the stigma associated with mental health conditions in Kenya.