OVP’s Bayanihan e-Konsulta faces thousands of backlogs

Barely a week since its launch, the e-consultation service for outpatient needs under the office of Vice President (OVP) Leni Robredo now faces thousands of backlogs of requests and concerns—both a welcome sign of an outpouring of public support and a grim reminder of the dire conditions within the country’s hospitals.

Within six days, the OVP’s Bayanihan e-Konsulta program on Facebook has already received over 10,830 transactions.

The program is currently run by over a thousand volunteer doctors and health professionals who could field medical queries for patients needing outpatient care and COVID-19 information. Robredo earlier said the program was their way of helping decongest hospitals overwhelmed by the surge of COVID-19 cases, and to ensure that even those at home could receive medical help.

Since its launch, the platform has been swamped by thousands of medical queries.

“To say we are overwhelmed would be an understatement,” she said. “This is the most complicated program we have ever embarked on because it entails a lot of moving parts and a wide range of help being sought.”

While she expressed gratitude for the public’s support, Robredo reminded them that the program was intended “for those who do not have access to doctors, medical help and other teleconsultation services.” INQ