Fullerton Health, an enterprise healthcare solutions provider in Asia-Pacific, has launched a telemedicine kiosk to support Singapore's migrant workers.

WHAT IT'S ABOUT

The Fullerton DigiHealth Kiosk combines telemedicine with automated vending of medicines. Users can register for teleconsultation by tapping their work pass on the kiosk. Then, they can proceed to have a video call with a doctor who will prescribe their medication. The medicines are automatically dispensed and they can print their medical certification, receipts and referral letters. 

The kiosk runs on remote medication dispensing technology provided by US-based Smart Rx Systems. "SmartRx's proprietary drug dispensing hardware and software technologies allow us the flexibility to customise and integrate to Fullerton Health's requirement where the patient can get their medicine immediately after a teleconsultation without the need to wait for its delivery," explained Smart Rx Chief Technologist Bennet Lee.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Fullerton kiosk is set to be tried out at the North Coast Lodge, a dormitory housing up to 9,000 migrant workers, located in the northern region of Singapore.

Fullerton said in a press statement that through its health kiosk, migrant workers will not need to travel for their check-ups and wait long hours to get their medicines delivered.

During the pandemic, the company has extended healthcare services to quarantined migrant workers at over 20 dormitories in the island city-state. It recently opened a regional medical centre serving 40,000 migrant workers.

THE LARGER TREND

Last year, accountable care organisation Alliance for Integrated Care of New York started a telemedicine kiosk programme to provide patients on Staten Island with access to care beyond office hours and on weekends, while reducing avoidable medical emergencies. 

Station MD provided the kiosk which includes a pole-care on wheels with touch screen tablet, high-definition camera, a bluetooth-enabled stethoscope and an ECG option. Through the machine, a triage provider can assess a person's situation, prescribe medications, send a post-visit note and recommend a hospital transfer or home treatments.

Also last year, Higi, a Chicago-based maker of health kiosks in retail pharmacies and groceries, raised $30 million in a funding round to expand its reach and add more content offerings. Its self-service kiosks can be used for quick tests for blood pressure, pulse, weight and BMI.

ON THE RECORD

"Our purpose has always been to advocate and find ways to improve health outcomes and make care more affordable. This is just one example of our digital transformation efforts and driving innovation that has [the] potential for real impact on the ground. Our intention is expanding the use of Fullerton DigiHealth kiosks as a complementary channel to extend the reach of our existing clinic network and telemedicine services to deliver a seamless online to offline experience for our patients," Fullerton Health Group CEO Ho Kuen Loon said.