BMA and KBank team up to launch the “BMA Doctor”

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and KASIKORNBANK (KBank) have jointly unveiled the “BMA Doctor” application under the “Smart OPD” project that allows users to access medical services at all 11 hospitals under the Medical Service Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, by simply downloading a single app. Thanks to this technological advancement, the initiative will enhance healthcare services in the ‘new normal’ era as patients will have improved access to medical services while also receiving emergency care in a timely manner.

The app will help ease the burdens of healthcare personnel in providing services to more than 4 million outpatients per year. Members of the public are invited to download the “BMA Doctor” app today, while medical services at all 11 affiliated hospitals will be completely rolled out via this app by the end of March 2022.

Pol. Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang, Bangkok Governor, said that BMA has continually used IT to support healthcare services in response to the changing lifestyles of the ‘new normal’ era in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The “BMA Doctor” app under the “Smart OPD” project aims to elevate the quality of ‘new normal’ healthcare services as people must maintain physical distance and avoid close contact to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

This self-service innovation via smartphone will provide the public easier access to healthcare services, both emergency and non-emergency, at all 11 hospitals under the Medical Service Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, which currently has more than 4 million outpatients per year, as well as the Bangkok Emergency Medical Service Center (Erawan Center). Users can also access health-related knowledge provided by physicians and multidisciplinary personnel.

Kattiya Indaravijaya, KBank Chief Executive Officer, said, “KBank attaches importance to the use of technology to help address problems and improve the quality of life in various dimensions, including the promotion of public health service. KBank is using technologies that we have expertise in to support the development of the BMA’s medical service system, and the “BMA Doctor” application, with the aim of offering service users greater convenience while having to comply with social distancing rules, easing limitations of the public health system when there is substantial demand for healthcare services, and bracing for potential crises.

The “BMA Doctor” application aims to improve three important components: 

1. Linkage of the hospital information system (HIS) with the application so that patients can gain easier access to their medical records, practice self-medication, thus bolstering the efficiency of medical services and self-care.
2. Service experience of using the application – This is to ensure that service users can use the application more conveniently at hospitals and elsewhere.
3. Linkage of the payment system with other financial services to reduce the need for touching banknotes and coins.

Key services of the “BMA Doctor” application include:

• Doctor’s appointment service – Check appointment schedule, receive appointment reminders, and click to get your queue ticket on the app
• Medical benefit checking service such as Universal Health Coverage (known as the Gold Card), Social Security Scheme, and Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme
• Hospital queue checking service – Be notified of your queue number and steps in receiving medical services
• Medical treatment registration service – Register to receive medical treatment and make a simple appointment via the app
• Medical record service – Check diagnoses, history of drug/vaccine allergies and medication history. Service users can easily access the service from other hospitals, reviewing data of medical treatment by themselves without going to the hospital for the physical records
• Emergency medical alert service – A feature that alerts the hospital to illnesses or injuries that require immediate attention, while sharing the location of the incident to receive assistance from the Bangkok Emergency Medical Service Center (Erawan Center)
• Online medical treatment via tele-medicine service – Users can get remote diagnosis, follow-up care and advice on medication from their doctors via video calls, forgoing hospital visits. Service users can also receive their medication via mail or pick up their medication from a nearby drugstore.

Interested individuals can download the “BMA Doctor” application starting today. Each of the 11 following hospitals will launch medical services via this application separately.

1. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General Hospital
2. King Taksin Memorial Hospital
3. Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital
4. Sirindhorn Hospital
5. Venerable Thawisak Jutindhard Hospital
6. Wetchakarunrasm Hospital
7. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Lat Krabang Hospital
8. Ratchaphiphat Hospital
9. Bang Khun Thian Geriatric Hospital
10. Khlong Sam Wa Hospital
11. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Bangna Hospital

As well as Bangkok Emergency Medical Service Center (Erawan Center). Medical services at all these hospitals will be completely rolled out via the “BMA Doctor” application by the end of March 2022.