Dubai: Is telemedicine cheaper than in-person doctor visits as virtual medical consultations gain popularity?

Dubai: Is telemedicine cheaper than in-person doctor visits as virtual medical consultations gain popularity?

With the help of new smartphone apps, chronic disease patients can also be monitored and checked remotely

Published: Sun 30 Apr 2023, 11:16 AM Last updated: Sun 30 Apr 2023, 11:36 AM

Telemedicine consultations are gaining significant popularity in the UAE, which came into prominence among the residents particularly during the pandemic, as they offer a more cost-effective alternative to in-person doctor visits.

Healthcare service providers in the UAE said people in the UAE use teleconsultation mainly for minor health issues such as cough and slight fever, chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and foreigners seeking second opinions during their visit to the country. According to Dubai Health Authority (DHA), currently, around 129 facilities provide telemedicine or telehealth services in the emirate.

As reported by Khaleej Times earlier, health facilities in Dubai provided more than 300,000 telemedicine consultations in 2022. Statistics released by the DHA have shown that telehealth services registered an increase of 24 per cent in the emirate last year as compared to 2021.

Thumbay University Hospital recorded an almost 22 per cent increase in video consultations, and they have been more economical for patients because there were no nursing charges and other expenses that are combined for in-person visits, said Akbar