If I have a favorite quote these days, it would have to be "Health is wealth", what with tackling a condition that is going to be my best friend for as long as I live! I've learned one important thing from looking after my Mom, who had a chronic illness: besides a healthy lifestyle, one of the most important things that helps manage health is record keeping - having all your reports, prescriptions, medical history in one place and, note this, easily accessible!
How many times have you had to follow up with your doctor only to discover that your previous prescription seems to have mysteriously gone into hiding? You know you kept it safely, but now it is so safe that even you can't find it.
If you happen to be a caregiver, looking after a dear one, it is an even bigger challenge when you have to visit the doctor on a regular basis. These days most people maintain a file, but files get filled up and one can't always lug box files with medical reports.
I can personally vouch for this - after my Mom was diagnosed with chronic lung disease, her saga of hospital visits began. When one doc would refer her to another, he would want her entire history from scratch. While we were practised at offering a summary with timelines, they would need to see an old report, which would be the one thing that we left at home.
I remember wishing that there were some way we could have digital records. In fact I had this thought for the first time when my Mom was in hospital and the doctor had a digital copy of her X-Rays, saving me the trip up and down 5 floors via the stairs. I was impressed, relieved and grateful.
Now, having to manage my diabetes with periodic visits to the doctor and getting lab tests done at regular intervals, I file most of my receipts and reports in a part of my handbag. Yes, embarrassing to admit especially since I am usually super-organized. Sigh. But you know how it is. With some days, "some day" never comes!
So imagine my delight when I came across eKincare - an online platform where we can store our medical records and access it from anywhere, any time! It was an answer to my prayers. With healthcare advancing at a rapid pace, it has paved the way for cloud storage. I was eager to explore the eKincare portal - and quickly created an account. Yes, you can, too. For free.
Hyderabad-based Aayuv Technologies Pvt Ltd, is the company behind eKincare which provides a single place to store your medical history, monitor health and get timely recommendations for health assessments and prevention, all for free.
I filled out my profile and was practically handheld through updating my medical information. My dashboard shows an overview of my health and assessments, timeline, documents, packages and profile.
Health care experts review the information and create awareness of potential risks while offering tips and solutions for improvement.
You can upload your reports online as is, so there's no possibility of error in input.
I also receive frequent text messages on my mobile - short and useful. Simple actionable tips like reminders to drink water, why use garlic during the monsoons and so on.
You don't have to have a health issue to take charge of your health today.
I particularly like eKincare for the following features:* Maintain your personal health records in one place and access it from anywhere, anytime via your pc, phone or tablet
* It is as easy as taking a selfie - just take a snapshot of your medical reports with the eKincare app and leave the rest to eKincare.
* Your lab results are available online, with eKincare converting the data from your medical records into simple color-coded summaries, graphs and trackable timelines
* Reminders and scheduling of appointments for immunizations, follow ups and updates
* Secure - your data is private and secure
* Discounted health check-up packages with up to 70% off on health checks
Use it for yourself, or use it for your family. Either way, you'll be doing yourself a favor!
When the world we live in has changed, it is time to leverage technology for health, right? Okay - now tell me this: are your health records online?
