In celebration of its 1st anniversary: HealthNow gives back to Filipinos with “HealthDay” free doctor’s consultation and medicine deliveries

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HealthNow is giving free video teleconsultations and medicine deliveries for registered users in line with its first anniversary.

Dubbed “HealthDay” set on August 20, HealthNow members can enjoy free “Consult Now” sessions with general practitioners, as well as free “Consult Later” bookings with specialists of high-demand medical fields. These include Pediatrics, OB-GYN, Dermatology, and many more.

In addition, users can enjoy free shipping and free Vitamin C on all medicine delivery orders!

HealthNow CEO Susana Beatriz Latay shared her excitement to be celebrating this milestone with their customers.

“As we continue to adapt to the ever-changing landscapes brought on by the global pandemic, we understand that consumers are looking for better ways to access their essentials, and health is certainly among their top considerations today. As we celebrate our first year, we recognize that we could not have gotten this far without our customers. That is why we also wanted this chance to give back for their support and patronage through the HealthDay promo,” said Latay.

HealthNow, a product of the collaboration between Globe’s 917Ventures and AC Health, is a mobile app that delivers a hassle-free experience in helping patients receive the medical help they need from the comfort of their homes.

With several cities across the country placed in quarantine, users can still enjoy the convenience and flexibility through HealthNow, as they are given the option of consulting a doctor anytime, anywhere via video, getting an e-prescription, and buying their pharmacy needs for same-day delivery.

Soon, they can easily book home service appointments for diagnostic tests and have their lab results interpreted online.

HealthNow is available in Google Play for Android and the App Store for iOS. Anyone can register using their mobile phone number, email address, or even their Facebook account. To know more about HealthNow, visit their website.

The Globe Group strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 on good health and well-being. Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.

Globe encourages Pinoys to access its lifelines: HOPELINE, HEALTHNOW, BANTAY BATA #163

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To ensure that Filipinos are able to cope with mental and physical health concerns brought about by the pandemic, Globe encourages the public to access its “lifelines” such as Hopeline to receive FREE 24/7 mental health support, HealthNow to access health services, and Bantay Bata #163 to report domestic and child abuse.

 

Hopeline is a round-the-clock suicide prevention and crisis support desk of Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF) created in 2012 with Globe providing the necessary technology for its operations. Since then, the hotline has received over 43,000 calls mostly related to depression, suicidal thoughts, and relationship problems in the last 2 years.

 

Those who are in emotional crisis and in need of immediate assistance, may contact the hotline through 2919 (toll-free for all Globe and TM subscribers), (02) 804-HOPE (4673) or 0917 558 HOPE (4673).

 

“The uncertainties that surround us are a cause for anxiety and concern for many which could take its toll on our mental well-being. We intend for Hopeline to serve as a lifeline to those in need of support, and eventually help ease their burden,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.

 

The Department of Health (DOH) reported almost 600 suicide-related calls during the months of January and February 2021 alone. The National Center For Mental Health (NCMH) hotline also receives an average of 1,002 monthly calls, with suicide calls accounting for 289 each month.

 

These staggering figures have given rise to the importance of mental health support platforms that people can easily access. Thus, NGF also partnered with telehealth service integrator HealthNow to give the public more ways to reach the hotline. With the partnership, Hopeline can now be accessed in the HealthNow app’s Urgent Help button which can be found on the app’s welcome page.

 

“Hopeline Philippines is here to help those with depression and those going through emotional crises especially now during these trying times. It just takes one call to save a life to suicide. One line, one call, one life. Be one with us,” said Jean Goulbourn, President and Founder of Natasha Goulbourn Foundation.

 

HealthNow is a joint undertaking of 917Ventures and AC Health. It is a mobile app that helps patients conveniently consult with a doctor, buy medicine for delivery, and schedule clinic appointments without leaving their homes.  The app may be downloaded from Play Store for Android and App Store for iOS.

 

Globe likewise continues to support the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.’s Bantay Bata #163 Helpline, which is free for all Globe and TM mobile phone users. It allows anyone to report child abuse especially during this period when children are at home most of the time. To call, simply dial #163.

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9 which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs. 

 

To know more about Globe’s sustainability efforts, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.html#gref

 

HealthNow tops list of medical, health & fitness apps in PH

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HealthNow, the all-in-one healthcare integrator app of 917 Ventures and AC Health is the #1 Medical App in App Store, and the #1 Health & Fitness App in Google Play in early April 2021 with 240,000 downloads, a 52x growth since its app launch in August 2020. This shows the growing acceptance among Filipinos for contactless health consultations amid the continuous rise of COVID-19 cases.

HealthNow also experienced a 300 percent increase in demand for video consultation since the Enhanced Community Quarantine was re-imposed in Metro Manila and nearby provinces last March.

 

Powered by 917 Ventures, a wholly-owned corporate venture builder of Globe, and AC Health, the healthcare arm of Ayala Corporation, HealthNow delivers a hassle-free experience by providing patients with healthcare services without the need to leave their homes.

“We are grateful for the public's trust in our app, which is why we continue to search for ways to alleviate the pain points that Filipinos experience today. With HealthNow, anyone can get the medical attention that they need without compromising their safety,” said Beia Latay, Chief Executive Officer of HealthNow.

“Even after the pandemic, we believe that HealthNow will remain a reliable and convenient partner of our customers for their healthcare requirements,”said Vince Yamat, Managing Director of 917Ventures.

Through the app, patients can request on-demand and scheduled video consultations with over 500 primary care and specialized physicians from various major institutions, including Healthway.  They offer in-demand specializations such as Pediatrics, OB-GYN, Cardiology, Dermatology, and Psychiatry.

 

Patients may also ask for e-prescriptions, laboratory appointments, and interpretation of laboratory results. Those in Metro Manila can enjoy same-day medicine delivery through the 30 major branches of Generika Drugstore.

 

This year, HealthNow is working on the expansion of medicine delivery service to key cities in Visayas and Mindanao and in providing diagnostic and clinic appointment bookings for home service and clinic drive-thru.

 

HealthNow is available in PlayStore for Android and App Store for iOS.  For more information, visit https://www.healthnow.ph/

HOPELINE 24/7 mental health support now in HealthNow app

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As mental health issues rise due to isolation, fear, and worries that accompany the current pandemic, it becomes necessary to make it easier for the public to access mental health support services whenever and wherever they need them.

Thus, HOPELINE, the 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support desk of New Good Feelings (NGF) Mindstrong, partnered with telehealth service integrator HealthNow to give the public more ways to reach the hotline. HOPELINE can be found under HealthNow app’s Urgent Help button in the welcome page. Globe and TM subscribers will be able to call the hotline toll-free. 

HealthNow is a joint undertaking of 917Ventures, a corporate incubator wholly-owned by Globe, and AC Health, the healthcare arm of Ayala Corporation. It is a mobile application that helps patients to conveniently consult with a doctor, buy medicine for delivery, and schedule clinic appointments without leaving their homes. The app may be downloaded from Play Store for Android and App Store for iOS.

Beia Latay, CEO of HealthNow, said: “Our partnership with HOPELINE is an important step to allow more people access to mental and emotional support services, even if this means simply having someone to talk to when they need it the most. We knew that we wanted to collaborate with a reputable group like NGF, whose mission is aligned with ours as we strive to accompany Filipinos in their healthcare journey during these complicated times.”

In its pursuit to provide a platform for a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline, toll-free HOPELINE 2919 was created in 2012, with Globe providing the necessary technology for it. Since then, the hotline has received over 14,000 calls mostly related to issues of depression, suicidal thoughts, and relationship problems.

The psychological impact of COVID-19 on Filipinos these past months has been devastating. In a study conducted by Tee et al last August, it showed that “anxieties and stress caused by social distancing practices and the economic recession have led to a rise in mental health issues, worsening of health conditions and has even led more the more vulnerable to commit suicide.”

The integration of HOPELINE in HealthNow is part of the Globe Group’s efforts to support mental health awareness in the Philippines. Aside from conducting mental health webinars, Globe has also partnered with UP Diliman Psychosocial Services (UPD PsycServ) for free counseling or psychotherapy services. It also launched Hope Bank, an online support community particularly for front liners and patients suffering from COVID-19 and other illnesses. Globe is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as UNSDG No. 3 which ensures healthy lives and promotes well-being for all of all ages.

For more information about HealthNow, visit https://healthnow.ph/

917Ventures, AC Health team up for new healthcare app

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With the current pandemic, it’s not easy for Filipinos to take care of their health. There have been delays in seeking medical help due to fear of contracting the virus when they go out to visit a doctor’s clinic or a pharmacy.

Healthcare providers, on the other hand, are also facing a challenge, as they have to handle a tremendous volume of patients while making sure that everyone receives the appropriate help at the right time. 

917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe, is collaborating with ACHealth to provide solutions to these problems. The collaboration resulted in HealthNow, an all-in-one health app that will help Filipinos get the healthcare they need anytime, anywhere. 

With HealthNow, users will be able to consult a doctor through video, buy medicine for delivery, and book clinic and lab appointments. The mobile app will be powered by the assets of 917Ventures and ACHealth, which include KonsultaMD, FamilyDOC, Healthway, and Generika. The mobile app will be available for download in Google Play and App Store in August. 

“When COVID-19 struck the country, there has been a massive shift in consumer behavior from passive to active participation in health, creating more demand for convenience and transparency,” said Issa Cabreira, 917Ventures Managing Partner. “Since it is our mission to solve the most prevalent problems plaguing the Philippines, we found it necessary to prioritize the delivery of healthcare to our fellow Filipinos who are in need of medical attention especially in this trying time.”

HealthNow was initially offered as a website that provided free video teleconsultation from volunteer doctors. Over 11,000 patient requests were received and more than 100 volunteer doctors were pooled from April to June this year. The pilot has since proved the need for patients and doctors to be digitally connected for better healthcare. 

The contactless delivery of health services through telemedicine is advocated by the Department of Health (DOH) as a way to relieve hospitals of non-critical cases and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, especially among vulnerable members of society.

To know more about HealthNow, visit https://healthnow.ph/