HelpingDoc, an online portal which kicked off its operations via CRM (customer relationship management) system using cloud computing, has been able to garner a positive response from over 1000 doctors in the region of Delhi. While it is looking to consolidate the business model, it has set its sights on expansion to Mumbai and Bengaluru for which it is scouting for venture capitalists in the next 12-14 months.

Cloud computing helps to reduce costs, simplify management and improve services in a safe and secure manner. The CRM Cloud is well entrenched in other industries but in healthcare it is yet to take off. HelpingDoc is now working to maximise this channel to offer better patient care in an efficient and cost-effective manner, Amit Bansal, CEO, HelpingDoc told Pharmabiz in a telecom.

The portal which has identified post graduate doctors who are registered with the Medical Council of India (MCI) allows the patients with a host of options to select the specialist. In India, the patient has been visiting a doctor without knowing him. But now with the HelpingDoc, they will have all details about the medical specialist before seeking an appointment. The model allows access to quality medical practitioners at the convenient appointment slots for patients, he stated.

As mobile phone broadband services increase with the 3G and 4 G services, smart phones will be accessible to a larger population. Through the option of Andriod APP and Geo-Tagging, patients will be able to track the doctors registered with HelpingDoc.

The positive response from the patients and participation from a 1000+ doctors registered with the portal, in just a month, allows us to enhance the   healthcare delivery mechanism in the country by improving the transparency, accessibility and delivery of medical care closer to one’s home or work place remains a challenge, he added.

The key objective of HelpingDoc’s is to bring in a structure to the unstructured and fragmented healthcare delivery mechanism in India. It intends to enable a digital platform to enhance the healthcare visibility and convenience via internet  mobile and telephone. It also reduces the waiting  time. Appointments can be booked online with reminders being sent on SMS  to both the patients and doctors. Patients can also review the performance of the doctors and give their feedback. For the patients, it vastly improves their chance to access a doctor in their own locality in a hassle-free manner.

The key differentiator for HelpingDoc is the instant approach to a panel of doctors in real time compared to the existing services in the market like Just Dial or access to Google which provides a list of medical offerings, all based on a different business model.

With the HelpingDoc portal abuzz with activity, it has begun to look markets of Mumbai and Bengaluru to offer the service for which it will need to raise funds from VC route, said Bansal.