A new online therapy service called "Beating the Blues" will be started soon, as per the mental health contract acquired by Medtech-led conglomerate, which would cater to patients with moderate to mild depression free of cost.

A three-year contract to conduct the computerized cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) program has been won by Medtech Global, the New Zealand subsidiary of primary healthcare technology solutions provider. The contract has been awarded through a tender process. It values around $2.1 million and will be financed by the Ministry of Health and the contract managed by the Northern DHB Support Agency (NDSA).

The therapy will be provided by Medtech's already in place electronic health technology system "ManageMyHealth". It is a facility that facilitates patients getting their treatment being at home and allows GPs to diagnose them through the electronic portal.

“Medtech's success in the tender further demonstrates the significance and value of its ManageMyHealth portal in connecting healthcare providers and consumers to deliver better, sooner and more convenient health care”, said Vino Ramayah, Executive Chairman of Medtech Global.

The new program will be carried out in collaboration with Ultrasis, which provides interactive healthcare software: the New Zealand Guidelines Group and Opening Doors.

Beating the Blues is an eight-week online treatment program for mild and moderate depression that got green signal by NICE in February 2006.