a group of responsible physicians, telecom and information and commun- ication (ict) specialist and...
TRANSCRIPT
A group of responsible physicians, telecom and Information and Commun-ication (ICT) specialist and policy makers have come together and formed a common platform named Bangladesh Society for Telemedicine & eHealth (BSTeH)
BSTeH’s purpose is to promote ehealth, telemedicine and associated fields including research, development, practical applications and initial and supplementary training
BSTeH
Dr. Asaduzzaman Khan
About 70% of total population live in rural areas About 75% of total qualified physician are practicing in urban areas.
Bangladesh is a country of inequitable distribution of resources.
Roads and highways are underdeveloped
Telecom networks are growing very rapidly in Bangladesh
Quick solution about any problems for treatment Treatment facilities would be made available
through one stop service center Increase in number of patients Get suggestion/advice from different doctors New information on latest drugs/treatment options Improve decision making process involving
multiple medical professionals Keep the records of the patients in the TMS for
the use of future references or future needs.
Knowledge about telemedicine services among medical professionals
Yes, 12
Yes, 15
Yes, 5No, 3
No, 4No, 3
0
5
10
15
20
Govt. Ptv. NGO
Knowledge of telemedicine among Service providers-Manager/Owner
12
10
6
5
8
9
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Govt Pvt NGO
Yes No
Acceptability of TMS as stated by medical professionals
Yes, 5
Yes, 13
Yes, 6
No, 3No, 2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Govt. Pvt NGO
Yes No
Acceptability of TMS by Manager/Owner
0
5
10
15
20
25Yes No
Yes 14 21 13
No 1 1
Govt Pvt NGO
Some challenges and risks mentioned by service providers –
Lack of mental satisfaction of the patientsCommon people, especially the rural people are not aware of the systemLack of confidentiality of the information about the female patientsPatients may not feel comfortable in telemedicine service through the video conference Ignorance or illiteracy may create some problemCost effectiveness of the service might also be a problem
Challenges and Risks
Lack of continuous supply of electricity might be challenging for the reliability of the service
Internet facilities are not available in every place Local doctors and village doctors may resist the TMS
system due to the fears about their professionalism. There is risk if proper maintenance or management
services are not available.
Community acceptance is an essential pre-requisite and can be ensured through strategically designed campaigns and appropriate media publicity.
Overall, the comments were that if the proper services by the TMS continue and people feel about its advantages, then there will be no risk.
TELEMEDICINE & eHEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS
GrameenPhone Ltd, Bangladesh. AnovaTech Ltd, Bangladesh Medinova Medical Services Concept Hospital, Feni Chevron Clinical Laboratory Sitakund X-ray and Pathology Telemedicine Reference Company
Limited Global Telemedicine Company
Conclusion
BSTeH is working on propagating to make a prospective health sector in Bangladesh.
The goal of this society is to facilitate the achievement of the health related targets of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) by 2015.
