While Japan is struggling with online medical care, online medical care in India and Thailand is attracting attention. Virtual Hospital, a Thai online medical service, is seeing a sharp increase in the number of patients using the service. At Virtual Hospital, patients tell nurses their symptoms via video calls on their smartphones. On a dedicated website, users enter their symptoms from dozens of items such as “stomach ache” or “fever.” After telling the hospital nurse their symptoms, the doctor in charge listens carefully to what they say. The medical report is also issued online, and medicine is delivered to your home within an hour and a half at the earliest. This type of hospital in Thailand provides a comprehensive service from medical care to delivery of medicine.
The aging society has created a new market for seniors. Not only humans, but also pets are living longer into old age. One factor supporting this old age is veterinary medicine. The expansion of the pet market is due to the longer lifespan of pets due to the development of veterinary medicine. As pets live longer, products and services that focus on pet health are gaining attention. In the pet market, products and services that focus on health and care are emerging one after another. This trend is particularly noticeable in Europe and the United States. A partnership between Pope and the major American retailer Walmart has become a hot topic. Walmart now offers Pope’s remote medical care service to special members. The partnership between Pope and Walmart seems to suggest that remote medical care for pets will become more popular.
In addition to Walmart, there are also companies that offer services that combine consultations, prescription issuance, and pet insurance. In response to the booming pet-related market, more and more companies are offering online medical care for dogs and cats. Emerging companies are expanding their businesses to provide a wider range of medical services for pets. Chewy, an American online retailer of pet supplies, has expanded into online pharmacies. Chewy also offers its own remote medical care service and pet insurance. There is a reason for the emergence of remote medical care services. That is the shortage of veterinarians not only for livestock but also for pets. Traditional veterinary clinics are unable to keep up with the demand, and remote medical care is filling the gap. By using online services, you can get your pet seen immediately if it shows symptoms of illness, and receive support to prevent it from getting sick, all at a low cost.
