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E-consult stations may soon dot Dubai

Dubai - Check-up facilities to ease pressure on hospital emergencies

Instead of booking an appointment and waiting in long queues to visit a doctor, a 'consult station' will allow patients to self-perform health checkups. Operating with 18 devices, the station aims to connect patients to doctors via a computer screen and reduce pressure on emergency departments.
Designed in partnership with Alpha Systems as part of the Dubai Future Accelerators, the station will be installed at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) headquarters and a mall in Dubai for a month-long trial period at the end of April.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited the Future Cities Show on Sunday.
Speaking on the sidelines of event where the station was displayed, Dr Jumana Hayder, physician executive at Alpha Systems, said the station can be added to malls, clinics, schools and universities.
Through the station, a patient can get blood pressure and temperature measurements, visual/audio tests, blood glucose and blood cholesterol level measurements and retina scan among other services.
A doctor guides the patient throughout the seven to 15-minute consultation via a computer screen, on which test results of the patient appears. A medical report and referral sheet is printed out at the end of the consultation.
She said there are 30 stations already deployed in malls, supermarkets, clinics and elderly homes across Europe with ongoing discussions to have the stations in Dubai.
"The aim behind the station is to improve employees' health and achieve fewer sick leaves," Dr Hayder said.
How the stations work
> It connects patients to doctors via a
computer screen
> A patient can get blood pressure and temperature measurements, visual/audio tests, blood glucose and blood cholesterol level readings and retina scan
> A medical report and referral sheet is printed out at the end of the consultation
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com