Though a number of new players in the country have stepped into the field for digitalization of medical appointments, the rather opaque rural market still remains an area of concern. Following some brainstorming and research, Kulen Jyoti Bora the founder of PDoc Infoservices (OPC) Pvt. Ltd came to a conclusion about the essentialness of combining digital innovations with offline measures in the smaller towns and rural areas for better penetration. He, thus, came up with a model merging the best of both worlds.
PDoc is a doctor’s appointment app that bridges the gap between quality healthcare services and the people in need of it, especially in the remote, far-flung areas. The app available on Playstore comes as a relief for booking doctor’s appointment from the comfort of one’s home, eliminating the uncertainties of on-spot booking. The patient gets real-time updates of the doctors’ availability and schedules.
PDoc differs from other similar apps in its for offline payments and business model. The customer needs to buy a virtual kit worth Rs. 99 from any of the partner clinics or pharmacies nearby. Thereafter, he can book upto 10 preloaded appointments on the app without any time limitations. Just like a mobile phone Top-up, he needs to recharge with a new virtual kit as soon as his allotted number of 10 appointments gets exhausted. PDoc is revolutionizing in rural penetration by enabling the local access and allow consumers/patients to get easy online/offline doctor’s appointments; PDoc is efficient enough for better connectivity and has a collaboration with pharmacies that serves the purpose for the rural people. Most of the rural dwellers are showing interest in using PDoc as the app is able to bridge the historical gap between the online and offline booking systems. PDoc has also offered free emergency services such as hospitalization and ambulance information on its app
It’s a respite for those who grow anxious about the idea of making online payments or have a tough time trusting an app with zero scope for a human interaction. As Kulen says, an initial mix of online and offline modes can be an effective measure to universalize the digitalization of healthcare access and penetration into the rural areas and suburbs.
Launched in June 2020, PDoc is operational in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Nagaon, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Tezpur in Assam, as well as few places in Arunachal Pradesh. The start-up has partnered with more than 500 doctors and over 120 clinics that includes reputed names like Ayursundra Hospital, Nemcare and Downtown Hospital in Guwahati, H M Hospital & Diagnostic Centre, JJM Hospitals, MF Hospital and Dr. Damani’s Nursing Home at Dibrugarh, and Dew Care Hospital & Research Centre at Nagaon. Company has been certified by the DPIIT , Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Govt of India and selected as incubatee in COHORT3.0 of Assam Startup, Govt of Assam. By end of FY 20-2021 this promising organization planned to cover all north-eastern states and planned to launch in pan india level by the end of the 2nd Quarter FY 21-2022.
Facebook Link:-
https://www.facebook.com/pdocindia/
App link:- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abh.pdoc&hl=en_IN&gl=US
