Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Dr Andrew Wheatley (left) looks at the features of the Doctor on Call application, being shown to him by physician and head of the School of Public Health and Health Technology of the University of Technology, Professor Winston Davidson.

Jamaicans can now access reliable health care at a distance using the latest in information and communications technology (ICT).

This is through the Doctor on Call application (app), which allows patients to consult with their doctors and obtain diagnoses through videoconferencing.

The app was launched by physician and head of the School of Health and Health Technology of the University of Technology Professor Winston Davidson, and his business partner, Sanjeev Kumar Rangaiah, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston last week.

Science, Energy and Technology Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley commended the innovators of the “game-changing” app, noting that it represents a paradigm shift in the way patients access healthcare services.

“So many of our people are plagued by their inability to access top-quality health care because of distance, cost and a variety of other impediments, but this represents a whole new set of possibilities and treatment options,” he said.

The minister said the app is in keeping with his 10-point plan for the ICT sector, which, among other things, seeks to have more Jamaicans becoming creators of technology rather than merely consumers.

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