SELF diagnosis around the world in forbidden as it could cause unwarranted conditions or even worse, that being said, the internet or Google should never be taken as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
By Michael Gwarisa
However, increased internet usage around the globe has given birth to innovative ideas that could actually redefine the health sector. From mobile Apps that remind patients on their medication timetables to health and fitness applications, the sector is set for a total evolution.
In Zimbabwe, Health Insurance provider CIMAS Medical Aid Company has come up with its own Online Symptoms Chekcer Platform which is a tool solely used to provide general information with regards to any perceived medical condition.
Cimas clearly stresses that Symptoms Checker, “shall not in any way be construed or intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Patients are advised to always seek medical advice of a qualified health practitioner regarding a medical condition or treatment. Reliance on any information provided by this tool is therefore at the patients’ own risk.”
To access the Symptoms checker, one needs to first agree to the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next level where you need to enter your personal details i.e age, gender, city or location, and email just for information purposes only.
From the details stage, the platform takes you to third stage where a partitioned human body like image appears. It is on this body like image that one clicks any area or part of the body he/she might feeling is in need of attention.
Once you click, a variety of options come out say, you would have clicked the abdomen area, symptoms associated with any kind of abdomen ailment come out, for example bloated belly.
Once you click bloated belly, all the diseases that could cause upset of the abdomen come out. A detailed explanation of ailments will be given depending on what it is you would have clicked.
For more however, just visit http://www.cimas.co.zw/symptom-checker/ and go through the process.
NB// Symptoms Checker is Not a Substitute for professional Medical assistance.
