Telemedicine will Transform Rural India

The Telemedicine market in India is has witnessed significant growth owing to its potential of providing the world class clinical and medical services to distant and rural locations, says Puneet Gupta, President – Sales & Marketing, Intellisys Technologies & Research Limited

Tell us about Intellisyss plans for development of telemedicine in Indian market.

Through our Vennfer healthcare solution, patients can have remote Teleconsultation with doctors. Vennfer can be put to efficient use for following healthcare purposes:
1.  Telemedicine
a. Tele – consultation ( Direct clinical, preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, treatment, consultative & follow-up services)
b. Tele – monitoring (Remote monitoring of rehabilitation services)
c. Tele – mentoring ( Education to patients & healthcare professionals)
d. Tele “ presence ( Remote assistance in surgery)
2. Continuing Medical Education
3. Administration

Give us an overview of how telemedicine industry is evolving in India?

The Telemedicine market in India is has witnessed significant growth. The industry has garnered the support of not only the private organisations that are investing in Telemedicine, but also of the government. The growth momentum of Telemedicine market will be driven by the inadequate healthcare infrastructure and shortage of hospitals and doctors, especially in the rural areas. The global market of Telemedicine is valued at $9 billion and is expected to grow at double digit rates over the next 5 years.

What is the area of healthcare that telemedicine must focus on?

The Telemedicine solutions comprise of following aspects – Teleradiology, Teleconsulting, Telemonitoring and Telesurgery. Teleradiology, which is the electronic transmission of radiographic images from radiologist sitting at the distant location from one location to another for interpretation and consultation, has the largest share among all the segments of Telemedicine. Essentially Telemedicine must become a complete diagnostic and treatment medium for patients and doctors. For this the Telemedicine Solution must be able to send Test reports like X Ray, ECG etc. to doctors for a comprehensive professional advice and diagnosis.

What kind of response do your telemedicine solutions see from rural areas?

Rural areas will be benefit hugely from Telemedicine, as through such solutions, the rural population gets access to top class doctors, who are generally based in cities. So, the response from the rural areas has been overwhelming in the last couple of years.  In the near future Telemedicine will allow rural areas to have access to the best doctors in the country.

Have you developed solutions that can facilitate relief work during disasters?

With the advancement of wireless and satellite connectivity across the states of India Tele-consultation from a disaster affected area is now possible throughout many parts of India through a web streaming portal and by using any IP camera connected to a normal laptop. The Government is also thinking of setting Telemedicine kiosks across many railway stations and live ambulances with the readymade Telemedicine kit and conferencing facility available in those mobile vans. Vennfer even makes Teleconferencing from remote disaster affected areas by using high speed Datacard.

What policies can the government take to facilitate the growth of the industry?

Government should set up Telemedicine facilities across India. The SWAN backbone should be strengthened to enable dedicated high speed network connectivity to facilitate seamless Teleconferencing across India. The Indian government in its 11th Five Year plan (2007-2012) has allocated 2000 million Rupees (about $50 million) to Telemedicine. According to the ministry of health and family welfare, the necessary infrastructure in the form of satellite and high speed broadband is already in place in large parts of the country.