The first hybrid telehealth solution in the world will be available in Romania starting 2023.

The Bright Distribution engineers designed the first interactive telemedicine system with integrated video assistance for proximity medical services, a smart kiosk which was developed in 2022, in Bucharest.

Digital transformation has grown irreversibly in Romania during the COVID-19 and Omicron developments. The European telemedicine market is estimated to reach 29,975 million dollars in 2026. Locally, 56% of Romanians are interested in accessing telemedicine services (compared to 37% European average), however only 28% are satisfied with the provided quality.

Although Romania is a leader in Europe, and even in the world, when it comes to high Internet speed, the urban-rural gap is still an important topic on the European Commission’s agenda, and a challenge for the telehealth industry in 2022.

Even more, despite the risks of the global pandemic, according to the Ministry of Health – in 2020 more than 850 doctors have applied for certificates of conformity to move their practice abroad. While the European average is around 4.4 doctors per thousand inhabitants, in our country the numbers are half of that, and the statistical predictions for the next 10 years are really something to worry about.

Romania is facing an alarming shortage of medical specialists in areas such as oncology and infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organization, cancer makes more than 100 victims per day in Romania, with the latest stats indicating and average of 140 deaths per day. Many of these victims reached a physician way too late to have a real chance, as the health system is struggling with another major challenge: the inefficient distribution of medical practitioners across the country. Currently, around 50% of doctors are located in only six cities: Bucharest, Craiova, Timișoara, Cluj, Târgu Mureș, and Iași, and over 500.000 Romanians do not have a family doctor in their immediate area. All this data flags the fact that prevention of health deterioration through education and regular communication with medical staff is a difficult goal to achieve in Romania. Moreover, people in vulnerable areas do not receive basic medical guidance or adequate medication on time.

All this data flags the fact that prevention of health deterioration through education and regular communication with medical staff is a difficult goal to achieve in Romania. Moreover, people in vulnerable areas do not receive basic medical guidance or adequate medication on time.

With these premises and having the needs of the general public in mind, the Bright Distribution engineers have designed a smart solution to bring doctors closer to patients, the Octodoc telehealth kiosk that combines advanced hardware and software technologies.

With these premises and having the needs of the general public in mind, the Bright Distribution engineers have designed a smart solution to bring doctors closer to patients, the Octodoc telehealth kiosk that combines advanced hardware and software technologies.

“Octodoc is fuelled by care for the health of Romanians and by respect for doctors. Our ambition is to put innovation at the service of the medical community, to use over two decades of IT&C experience to build something unique that solves real-life needs. We strongly believe that access to quality health care is a right, not a privilege. We cannot eliminate the rural-urban gap overnight, we cannot bring back our doctors from abroad – we can, however, build a civilized and efficient doctor-patient interaction ecosystem that simplifies everything, for everyone.

Beyond any business vision, innovation for the good of the community is a duty for every one of us, starting with the IT sector, business leaders, and state officials. This is why we are investing substantial operational resources to materialize this pioneering endeavour here, in Romania.” George Niculcea, Octodoc Founder and Bright Distribution Vice-President

Beyond any business vision, innovation for the good of the community is a duty for every one of us, starting with the IT sector, business leaders, and state officials. This is why we are investing substantial operational resources to materialize this pioneering endeavour here, in Romania.” George Niculcea, Octodoc Founder and Bright Distribution Vice-President

Beyond any business vision, innovation for the good of the community is a duty for every one of us, starting with the IT sector, business leaders, and state officials. This is why we are investing substantial operational resources to materialize this pioneering endeavour here, in Romania.” George Niculcea, Octodoc Founder and Bright Distribution Vice-President

After a series of prototypes and testing processes with doctors and patients, the Octodoc kiosk has now reached the production and software implementation stage, and it will be available for the public starting 2023, both covered by C.A.S. insurance and with paid service.

Find out more information via octodoc.ro. For strategic partnership opportunities, business details, or demo session requests – the Octodoc consultants are ready to offer prompt support – email: sales@octodoc.ro.

Sources: World Health Organization, Mordor Intelligence, HotNews.ro, Adevarul.ro, Economedia.ro, Shutterstock.com