Good Doctor’s Health Startup Transactions Increase 900%

Health startup Good Doctor recorded an increase in telemedicine transactions of around eight to 10 times or 900% during the corona pandemic. This startup is optimistic that the trend will continue even after the Covid-19 outbreak is over.

Managing Director of Good Doctor Technology Indonesia Danu Wicaksana said the demand for telemedicine services was increasing because people wanted to minimize the risk of contracting the coronavirus. “This service has grown in the last 12 months,” said Danu during a virtual press conference, Thursday (28/1).

The service most widely used is health consultation. Within a day, requests for consultation can reach 10 thousand. The most common complaints during consultations were symptoms of common diseases, skin, and children’s health. To fulfill the high order, Good Doctor hooked thousands of doctors.

The second most widely used service is the purchase of drugs. The company also provides discounts during the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in several regions. Next is the Covid-19 test service. “Many people order to do corona tests such as PCR or rapid tests. The trend is increasing significantly,” said Danu.

He estimated that telemedicine services would still be in demand this year or even after the pandemic was over. This is because Covid-19 has changed people’s behavior, including in accessing health services. “Data from McKinsey states that 65-80% of respondents will continue to use telemedicine services after Covid-19 ends,” said Danu.

Collaborating with UNDP and Attention for ODHA

To maximize this moment, Good Doctor will focus on collaborating this year. Most recently, the company is partnering with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Indonesian Telemedicine Alliance (Atensi) to create a special telemedicine service program for people living with HIV / AIDS (ODHA).

“In this pandemic situation, there are concerns from ODHA in accessing health services. We believe telemedicine can help in terms of consultation and (health) control,” said Head of Medical Good Doctor Adhiatma Gunawan. “The confidentiality of patient data is also maintained.”

Siprianus Bate Soro, Assistant Resident Representative and Team Leader for Democratic Governance and Poverty Reduction Unit UNDP, added that there will be standard operating procedures (SOPs) and health protocols for the program. “For HIV it is different. We make SOPs and protocols such as in determining the diagnosis,” he said.

Based on data from the Ministry of Health, there were 140,058 ODHA in Indonesia last year. As many as 82 of them were infected with the coronavirus. However, a health researcher from Deloitte Luthfi Mardiansyah highlighted a number of barriers to the use of telemedicine services.

These obstacles include limited digital infrastructure, incomplete policies, slow health practitioners adopting the latest technology, and patient concerns regarding data security and diagnostic accuracy.

“The government has responded to the limited digital infrastructure by presenting the Palapa Ring project. Regarding regulations, we are now starting to be able to refer to existing regulations, particularly those released by the Ministry of Health,” said Luthfi.

About Good Doctor, UNDP, and ATENSI

Good Doctor launched an integrated telemedicine service for the first time in collaboration with Grab, namely GrabHealth powered by Good Doctor. With a mission to provide access to quality health services for users in Indonesia, supported by thousands of doctors on standby in 80 cities and 2,000 trusted official pharmacies, Good Doctor is ready to answer public health needs.

UNDP (United Nations Development Program) is a leading United Nations organization whose vision is to fight to eradicate poverty, inequality, and the issue of climate change in the world. Working with our experts and partners in 170 countries, we help countries create integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet.

Meanwhile, ATENSI or the Indonesian Telemedicine Alliance is a forum for Indonesian health workers who are engaged in digital-based health which aims to create equitable and adequate access to health services for all Indonesian people by optimizing the use of technology.

ATENSI also functions as a vehicle for communication, information, representation, consultation, facilitation, and advocacy for Indonesian health personnel, both between Indonesian health personnel and stakeholders, organizations to health personnel from abroad.