This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
On May 14, 2020, Telkom announced a partnership with Valentis Health to provide medical consultations to its customers via phone. The service, Dial Daktari, allows patients to access board-licensed doctors remotely, reducing the risk of person-to-person infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the service's process, customers can access Dial Daktari by calling the toll-free number 0800-221-011. A care manager will then guide them through triage and assign a doctor for consultation. If a prescription is required, it will be issued and sent to a partnering pharmacy or directly to the patient. In emergency cases, Dial Daktari will facilitate the dispatch of an ambulance to the patient for further assessment and transfer to a hospital.
The teleconsultation will cost Telkom customers KSh. 450, payable via T-Kash Paybill Number 144563. In addition to phone consultations, the Valentis Health App will allow patients to track symptoms, communicate with doctors via text and video consultations. The service also has a team of counsellors to assist patients experiencing acute stress and anxiety.
Dr. Don Othoro, Founder and CEO of Valentis Health, stated, “The integration of online and offline healthcare means that our doctors are able to deliver seamless consultations, just as they would in person.” Telkom's Chief Executive Officer, Mugo Kibati, added, “Technology will continue to play an integral part in the lives of Kenyans, more so now that it is enabling them to make the switch to conducting their affairs, virtually, from home.”
As part of its efforts to support the fight against COVID-19, Telkom has also donated a 50 Mbps link to the Kenyatta National Hospital's Infectious Diseases Unit at Mbagathi, providing free Internet to patients in quarantine and frontline healthcare workers. Additionally, Telkom has provisioned the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus with free Internet connectivity to support their work.
