Telemedicine used to help doctors in remote areas

JAKARTA (JP): What would you do if you were a doctor trying to save someone's life in an area far from the modern cities where countless well-equipped, capable doctors live?

This is the kind of problem often faced in Indonesia in the islands scattered across vast areas with not enough doctors, Minister of Health Sujudi acknowledged here yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Vice President Try Sutrisno, Sujudi said the ministry of health would introduce "Telemedicine" to help overcome the problem. The concept is already in use in other nations, especially in the United States and European countries, he said.

The idea behind "telemedicine" is to use all kinds of telecommunication technologies, such as television, the telephone, the Internet, even virtual reality and holograms, to help doctors treat special or difficult cases. With these facilities, doctors in remote places can consult with other doctors or experts in other areas.

Sujudi said Indonesia would use televisions for its telemedicine programs. Local and domestic doctors can explain, for instance, certain sophisticated operating procedures on television for the benefit of their colleagues in remote islands.

"This way, the patient can have immediate treatment, and save time and money. The program will also help national health services be more effective," said Sujudi.

The minister, however, did not provide further details, for instance, on when telemedicine would be introduced.

Telemedicine will allow hospitals or doctors to transmit medical data and expertise over telecommunication networks. In the U.S. and Europe, telemedicine by phone and television is already quite common, although some experts argue there are procedures that still need treatment from medical experts.

Sujudi met with Try to report on the plan to hold a workshop on hospitals and globalization on Feb. 25 through to Feb. 27 in Karawaci, Tangerang. (12)