SATCOM Based Telemedicine - An Application Spin-Off for Rural Health Care Delivery in India
- Paper number
IAC-06-E5.1.05
- Author
Mr. R.L.N. Murthy, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Coauthor
Mr. Satyamurthy L.S., Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Coauthor
Mr. A Bhaskaranarayana, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Purpose:
The paper discusses the experiences of TELEMEDICINE Programme in India, a spin-off from space technology and the road map for future, for an operational Telemedicine network with a potential for transcending the service beyond the national boundaries.
Methodology: Exploratory Case Study
Programmatic Content:
India is developing country in terms of health care infrastructure in rural and remote areas but a developed country in developing and owning Space Technology and Assets. Using INFOSTRUCTURE facilitated by the later, to overcome the lack of INFRASTRUCTURE has started showing the results.
India, the 7th largest country with an area of 3.2 million square kilometers and one Billion plus population, has many a world class super speciality hospitals and specialist doctors. But the darker side is that 75% of qualified doctors practice in urban centres, whereas vast majority of population lives in rural areas, widening the urban-rural divide.
The Indian Space Agency, ISRO known for its vast expertise and experiences in various facets of space technology has a strong orientation since its inception, towards transforming technology into social benefits. Continuing the legacy of its founder Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, in it’s pursuit to adapt the benefits of technology to the improvement of everyday life touching the humans at the grassroots level; ISRO has initiated Telemedicine project in 2001. Primarily spearheaded by ISRO and supplemented by other government, private and Trust agencies, the Indian Telemedicine programme blending ICT (Information and Communication Technology) with medical sciences has started making the difference to the underserved.
The thrust is for providing SATcom based connectivity for a) Tele-consultation between Remote/Rural Hospital and Super Speciality Hospitals, b) Continuing Medical Education (CME), c) Mobile Telehealth reaching to the door steps of Rural Population especially for Ophthalmology and Community healthcare.
An integrated approach of technology development, standards and cost effective systems was evolved in association with the various Government/NGO Agencies, Health Care Administrators, Speciality Hospitals and the Industry with innovative Insurance Agencies.
Presently ISRO’s Telemedicine Network consists of 160 Hospitals – 130 Patient ends connected to 30 Super Speciality Hospitals. About 100,000 Tele-consultations have taken place including some of the instances of saving of life.
Results:
A study has revealed an 81% cost saving, in addition to savings/relief to patients and their families in cutting costs and time in tedious journeys. This experience is set for an operational phase for a sustainable business model and poised to facilitate public/private partnership in long run for sustainability to bring in ‘the healing touch to the ailing patients, through space technology.
Conclusion:
An application spin off like Telemedicine can make a difference in reaching the healthcare services to the un-served and under-served. The model set by Indian Space Agency as being adopted by Indian Healthcare Providers, can be applicable for developing countries.
- Abstract document