Reaching Out to the Urban Underserved For Continuum of Healthcare during COVID-19 Pandemic Using Available Technologies

摘要

Background: India is one of the ear-liest countries to impose Nation-wide Lockdown, restricting move-ment of people in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It has brought a sudden halt to non-COVID-19 health services in terms of consultation, follow-up and ac-cess to diagnostics. Objectives: This study was aimed to maintain communication during the COVID-19 lockdown with an underserved community through available and accessible technology. Methods: A total of 32 families re-siding in the ‘containment zone’ be-longing to a minority community were contacted telephonically and enquired about illnesses during the lockdown, access to healthcare, COVID-19 related practices and concerns. They were sensitized about the soon-to-be launched mul-ti-dimensional mobile based tele-consultation application by the In-stitute. Results: Expressed health needs were doorstep collection of samples instead of having to venture out to health facilities, availability of emergency and routine health care services. Conclusion: A unique model of tele-consultation benefitting the com-munity is proposed.