27.07.2010
Launch of the first telemedicine network in Ukraine
27 July 2010, Kyiv - MTS, Ukraine Ministry of Health and the UN have launched Ukraine’s first medical telecommunications network. The capabilities of the network were displayed through a press conference that was channeled through video communication. This enabled representatives from Kiev to participate in the event - organized by the Ministry of Health - and also allowed those who came to Uzhgorod and Donetsk regional hospitals to see how the telecommunications technology works in practice.
The Ukraine Ministry of Health organized a press conference devoted to the project launch of Mobile Medicine, and to the opportunities and prospects of modern telecommunication technologies in medicine. This initiative is implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of Health with the support of the UN Office in Ukraine. The event was channeled through video communication, making it not only possible for representatives from Kiev to participate in the event, but also to those who came to Uzhgorod and Donetsk regional hospitals to see how the telecommunications technology works in practice.
The format was chosen deliberately to show how the telecommunications network works. Network participants include: the Ukraine Ministry of Health, the Clinical Research Telemedicine Center in Kiev, Donetsk and Transcarpathian (Uzhgorod) regional hospitals. It is the first real step towards creating an infrastructure of medical institutions using telecommunications technology to provide timely and quality medical aid to Ukrainians.
The network offers more affordable medical services to residents of regional centres, and to patients travelling from remote areas to regional hospitals for their consultations. For example, doctors and patients of Donetsk and Transcarpathian regional hospitals are able to transmit on-line diagnostic data, receive special consultation from specialists and also to gather councils and participate in conferences without leaving the office. The economic feasibility of implementing such telemedical systems is grounded on more efficient and effective use of human and material resources.“
Two particular features of the project stand out, - noted Yulia Shcherbinina, Public-Private Partnerships Officer at the UN Office in Ukraine. – First, there is a unique composition of partners and their commitments. While the United Nations has played the role of a ‘social broker’ and a generator of idea, the Ministry of Health has provided institutional support, the private sector has become a driving force of the project. Secondly, the essence of this project is not in patching up holes, but in creating a brand-new innovative system through information technology. Telemedicinal system reduces the distance between doctor and patient, and doctor and doctor. It also provides an opportunity to solve a major development problem - inequality in access to goods, whether it is a good of new medical knowledge and skills or whether its is a good of the high-quality medical services. Today we present the project results. It is therefore time to think about the project sustainability: how we can enhance project achievements and take them to a new nationwide level Needless to say, the new scale require active engagement of the State.”
MTS Company constantly introduces new technologies, products and services to clients. Now, the creation of a system for remote monitoring and data transferring in medical purposes has become a reality. “Telemedicine is a new, very interesting and promising medical application with vivid social importance” said Andriy Dubovskov, Director General of MTS Ukraine. “Indeed, we cannot underestimate the potential of modern telecommunication technologies bringing benefits to all spheres, including social”.
About telemedicine:
The term “telemedicine” was introduced by Dr. Kenneth T. Bird in 1972.
Telemedicine is a medical practice that works through using interactive audio-video communication systems without the usual doctor-patient interaction. Telemedicine does not replace a doctor and is not an alternative. In fact, telemedicine increases experts’ proficiency and provides increased opportunities to be the centre of medical activity.
Introduction of telemedicine consultative diagnostic systems saves up to 40% of health care costs (according to estimates of the Biomedical Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, presented at the international conference on ‘Anticrisis and innovative potential of telemedicine and electronic system of Healthcare’).
Please follow the link below to learn more on history of telemedicine:
http://www.telemed.org.ua/journ/telemed/telemed_hist.pdf