Telemedicine used to help doctors in remote areas

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)