SINGAPORE, 27 September 2023 — SmartRx Pte. Ltd, a pioneer in Automatic Pharmacy Machines (APMs) in Singapore, has partnered with Ninkatec Pte Ltd to integrate convenient healthtech into Jalan Besar Stadium, located at the heart of Singapore.
From implementing new technology such as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) earlier this year, the iconic ground will now be home to automated healthcare through the Charazoi Telemedicine Kiosk, aimed at providing convenient self-service healthcare to the users in the stadium and its surrounding community.
“Jalan Besar is situated in a community comprising of a mix of people who can benefit from convenient quality healthcare,” explained Mr Tong Ping Heng, Managing Director at SmartRx. “Whether it is simply buying Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicine, obtaining pharmacy medicine, or the need to consult a doctor, members of the community can be served at this conveniently located kiosk.”
Situated within a community comprising of a residential zone, a lively food and beverage scene, hotels, and offices, the Charazoi Telemedicine Kiosk is the all-in-one solution for all healthcare needs. A modular solution comprising of an APM and a Telemedicine Pod (TP), the Kiosk will offer the community with round-the-clock 24/7/365 access to OTC medicine, as well as access to doctors from the Charazoi Medical Clinic through teleconsultation via the private TP.
The standard teleconsultation rate of S$27 is priced lower compared to the S$40 for a physical consultation at the clinic. All categories of drugs— OTC, Pharmacy Only Medications, and Prescription Only Medications are dispensable at the kiosk, with medication addressing a myriad of conditions being easily purchasable.
By being situated in the heart of the community, it will take the community between 4 to 8 minutes to access the kiosk for different healthcare needs. For example, a football player can conveniently pick up antiseptics, bandages and painkillers to tend to his/her injuries sustained during game at the stadium. Elsewhere, residents residing nearby can make the short 5 minute walk for their regular health screening and consultation, along with picking up of prescription refills, beating the crowd without the need of going to the physical clinic.
In consulting a doctor, the process starts with new users either registering or logging into the APM’s system using their Identification Card (IC) Number and selected PIN. Following, a cashless payment of S$27 at the APM would unlock the TP, where the user would then input their IC Number and PIN via the Pod’s integrated touchscreen—prompting the start of the teleconsultation. Teleconsultations are available on weekdays from 9am to 12pm, and 2pm to 5pm—following the opening hours of Charazoi Medical Clinic, which is located 5 minutes away from the Kiosk.
Within the Pod, users can consult a doctor through the pod’s integrated touchscreen, microphone, and speakers. Various vital sign devices can be found within the Pod as well, with devices to monitor temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, along with height and weight measurements. After completing the consultation, the user will then exit the Pod and log back into the APM to pay for medication prescribed by the doctor. This prompts the machine to automatically dispense the medicine with individual labelling specified for the user's consumption—just like any physical clinic. All categories of drugs are available from the Kiosk, including OTC Medicine, Pharmacy Medicine, and Prescription Only Medicine.
“With the vast selection of medication dispensed at the Kiosk, we are confident that the community can take the initiative for their healthcare needs with even more convenience,” said Dr Choo Dee Pheng of Charazoi Medical Clinic. “Not only will teleconsultation through the kiosk reduce waiting time at the physical clinic, timely assistance can be administered onsite if required due to the kiosk’s close proximity to our physical clinic.”
This kiosk is SmartRx’s first of four planned installations with SportSG aimed to be rolled out over the next six months. “Sporting facilities are located within the heartlands and are readily accessible for all in the community,” said Mr Tong. “The Charazoi Telemedicine Kiosk will enhance the surrounding community’s engagement and experience at the sports centre, aiding their efforts in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”
About SmartRx
SmartRx Pte Ltd was incorporated in 2019 with a simple but determined goal of improving overall healthcare provisioning for the masses through innovative products and services. SmartRx hopes to reduce the multiple trips and the waiting time faced by the patients and their caregivers while seeking medical care, thus reducing the inconvenience for them as well as to help enhance the productivity of the healthcare institutions in the delivery of their care models. For more information, head to SmartRx’s website at https://www.smartrx.com.sg/.
About Ninkatec
Ninkatec offers personalised and cost-effective healthcare solutions for elderly patients to “live meaningfully” at home through the appropriate use of clinical expertise and technology. Ninkatec is guided by a patient-first approach to care, with the patient's well-being placed at first priority. Non-intrusive continuous monitoring solutions collect clinical data, and an appropriate level of care is then provided to patients when medical response is required. Long-term care for your loved ones is made easier 'right at home' and patients can enjoy a peace of mind and live fulfilling lives. Ninkatec's allied healthcare partners also bring an array of services ranging from general consultations to specialised prognoses, as well as health screenings, vaccinations to facilitate patients ageing in place, as well as other relevant medical assessments. Ninkatec is helmed by co-founder Dr Choo Wei Chieh, a veteran in the industry, who has had more than a decade of experience in medtech and offering medical services for patients in the home setting, and is adept at combining IT expertise with his in-depth clinical knowledge to build customized solutions in healthcare. For more information, please visit the website at https://ninkatec.com/.