Keeping patients connected

In its primary stage the TSC connected with the Telemedicine Consultant Center at the Faridpur Diabetic Hospital, will facilitate treatment of patients now only from Faridpur by prominent doctors and specialists sitting in Dhaka through video conferencing.

"Telemedicine uses modern telecommunication and information technology for the provision of clinical care to individuals located at a distance and to the transmission of information to provide that care," said Subir Kumar Bhattacharjya, former ambassador and the coordinator of the Telemedicine Project, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (Dab).

Dab began the initiative from last month in collaboration with Grameen Telecom and Faridpur Diabetic Association.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two organisations on October 26, last year.

"Ever since then, personnel from both organizations started researching on this aspect," said Bhattacharjya.

Dab's prime objectives are to expand healthcare and also to reach out to patients at different parts of the country. "This project was of prime importance as it would satisfy our objectives," said Bhattacharjya, while discussing about the aims of the project.

An overall draft of the policy was provided to the National Council, which decides on such important matters. The policy was finally approved on the 465th meeting of the council on January 26, 2005.

Telemedicine, also termed as e-health or tele-health, usually come in two forms. The primary form is 'Store-and-forward' telemedicine, which does not require the simultaneous presence of both the parties at their respective locations. Important data about the patient is acquired, which can also be in the form of images/videos and is sent to the doctor or specialist. This material is evaluated by the doctor at his convenience and later the prescription or suggestions are sent over after its completion.

But Dab is using the 'Live Telemedicine' method, which requires the presence of both the patient and the doctor at their respective locations at the same time, a high bandwidth and an adequate connection.

Regarding this context, Bhattacharjya highly appreciated the steps taken by Grameen Telecom. "They have provided equipment, technicians and technical skills for this project.

Furthermore, we are getting free service from their optical fiber through out the duration of this entire pilot phase," he said. He also pointed out that the data transfer speed is around 2Megabits per second, which would ensure fast and effective interaction between the doctor in Dhaka and the patient and technician in Faridpur.

On the other hand, Dab provided its best specialists and doctors for the project. "We have around 50 renowned doctors on this panel who can effectively treat the patients of Faridpur through the telemedicine project," said Bhattacharjya.

Since its initiation last month, around 6 patients have been treated through this project. "The low response may be due to the lack of publicity of the project and the Tk 600 charge of each visit," said a personnel from the Telemedicine Project.

Bhattacharjya expressed that the cost of each visit is still very low when compared to the total cost that would be incurred to arrive at the same doctor's chamber in Dhaka.

"The overall travel cost, food and accommodation expenditure and other costs may all total up to around Tk 2000 for each patient if they come to Dhaka for their treatment," said Bhattacharjya. He also pointed out that the long queue at the each of the doctor's chambers may even cause the patient to miss appointments.

Furthermore, the TSC can reserve a seat for the patient in Birdem and efficiently complete the necessary paperwork in case of emergencies.

The project coordinator hopes to initiate TeleEndoscope, TeleEcoCardiogram and TeleElectrocardiogram, within the next one year.

"Hopefully, with the success of this pilot project, we will introduce the project to other parts of the country," said Bhattacharjya.

Dab further hopes to provide online treatment and suggestions to patients from foreign specialists and doctors in the near future.