AFRO-NETS> Uganda - Telemedicine: A solution for upcountry doctors

[A Odutola <chpss_abo@yahoo.com>]

Uganda - Telemedicine: A solution for upcountry doctors
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New Vision
Published Date: September 2 2002
Posted Date: September 2 2002

By Lillian Nalumansi

The World Bank has donated over US$ 45,000 for the installation of 
high-tech equipment that will enable medical doctors in two major 
hospitals in Moroto district to directly consult their counterparts 
in Mulago Hospital in medical cases they cannot handle. 

The immediate benefit of the technology known as telemedicine, is to 
provide online continuing medical education to upcountry doctors so 
that they are able to handle cases they previously referred to larger 
hospitals like Mulago Hospital. 

Meddie Mayanja, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 
specialist, said in an interview that the one and a half year project 
funded by the World Bank?s Knowledge Economy Program starts this 
year. 

The telemedicine centre will be built upon high-speed Internet ser-
vices at the Moroto High School computer lab, with satellite equip-
ment provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Links 
and other partnering institutions. 

The new equipment will include a full multi-media computer set, col-
our printer, a reliable internet connection, digital camera and 
spread spectrum wireless link connection. 

Rural telemedicine service shall involve electronic consultation and 
confirmatory tests between Moroto and Matany hospital on one hand and 
Mulago hospital on the other. 

Medical workers in Moroto will be able to consult specialists at Mu-
lago by text and image files about challenging medical cases before, 
during and after a case has been managed. Consultations will be done 
on regular schedule through electronic mail.

Source: New Vision (Uganda)
http://www.newvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=9&newsCategoryId=34&newsId=44298

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A. Odutola
CHPSS, Lagos, Nigeria
mailto:chpss_abo@yahoo.com

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