Telemedicine in Nepal (Part Four)

A Study report on Telemedicine and Health Disciplines in Nepal (Part Three)
Telemedicine is a rapidly developing application of clinical medicine where medical information is transferred via telecommunication means, the internet or other networks for the purpose of consulting, and sometimes remote medical procedures or examinations. Telemedicine may be as simple as two health professionals discussing a case over the telephone, or as complex as using satellite technology and video-conferencing equipment to conduct a real-time consultation between medical specialists in two different area or countries. Telemedicine including online surgery, distance Operation Supervision and Telemedicine treatment or therapy.

Nowadays, Telemedicine services are spreading globally on with the ICT revolution throughout the world. Even developing countries of Third World are able to provide health care services over far distances using Telemedicine techniques. Telemedicine programs are launched with private public partnerships in most countries including Canada, Russia, Algeria and India. Nepal is also developing ICT and Networks, so we can deliver health care and treatment far distances in any corner of Nation using this method.

The Nepali Health Service Sector is moving rapidly in deploying state-of-the-art technology to bring primary care and specialty medicine to remote locations to reduce geographic barriers between remote, smaller communities and health care providers. For example, clinical personnel are now equipping small remote villages in Gorkha, Tanahun and Dolhaka with Telemedicine systems to provide transmission of digital images of patients’ ear drums, skin conditions, and even tonsils to distant health care providers.

Telemedicine also enables small rural communities to communicate during emergencies with social workers through video conferencing when transportation is difficult or impossible (especially in blizzard conditions in Himalayan Region). Currently, there are about forty Telemedicine programs and partnerships within the IHS that are delivering care to smaller, more isolated communities in world.