MaNaDr Clinic’s teleconsultation suspension does not affect other clinics using its app

SINGAPORE – Clinics and service providers on the MaNaDr app have continued to use the platform to provide teleconsultation services as the Aug 16 suspension of MaNaDr Clinic’s own teleconsultation services does not apply to them.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) had directed MaNaDr Clinic in Beach Road to suspend its outpatient telemedicine services over concerns about quality of care to patients stemming from excessively brief consultations. This applies to its use of any teleconsultation platform, including its own, until further notice.

The ministry told The Straits Times that other clinics and service providers using the MaNaDr platform to provide teleconsultation services have obtained the necessary licensing approval and authorization under a Healthcare Services Acts (HCSA) license.

While they can continue using the platform, “MOH will be auditing and monitoring them to ensure that the teleconsultations are properly conducted in compliance with the Singapore Medical Council’s (SMC) Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines (ECEG), as well as relevant regulatory requirements” , a minister said.

The ECEG’s telemedicine guidelines state that providers should endeavour to provide the same quality and standard of care as in-person medical care, and ensure that patients understand any limitations of telemedicine that may affect the quality of their care.

MaNaDr Clinic was suspended after preliminary investigations by MOH found that a very large number of cases it had seen involved very short consultations. For example, more than 100,000 teleconsultations with patients via video calls lasted one minute or less, with the shortest being one second.

Further regulatory and enforcement action may be taken after the conclusion of ongoing investigations, said MOH.

MaNaDr is operated by Mobile-health Network Solutions, the first Asia-Pacific telehealth company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

According to MaNaDr’s website, more than 500 clinics have joined its network.

A MaNaDr spokesman told ST in September that the platform has initiated a thorough review of all its telemedicine operations, including MC issuance and the length of consultations.

“The platform values ​​MOH’s actions and is confident that any findings will enhance telemedicine services across the industry,” the spokesman added.

The spokesman added that, as far as the platform is aware, medical certificates (MCs) issued by clinics and doctors under their respective remote care licenses after Aug 16 remain valid.