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Telemedicine Video Conference between Fort Detrick, USA and Islamabad, Pakistan Organized by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) in collaboration with Technology Resource Mobilization Unit (TReMU)
TReMU is a project sponsored by Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT&T) and executed by COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT). The objective of Technology Resource Mobilization Unit (TReMU) is to create a mechanism of technical review and provide support to the implementation process of key projects. The project also mobilizes the existing technical expertise of private sector specialists to assist the government in technical review of projects. The main purpose of Technology Resource Mobilization Unit (TReMU) is to mobilize technical resources by forming working groups in different areas to efficiently lay down the procedures and set patterns to implement IT projects according to IT Policy and Action plan in which Working Group of Telemedicine taking the lead. The aim of National Telemedicine forum a working group of Technology Resource Mobilization Unit (TReMU) is to join over hundred cities of Pakistan and provide medical benefits to maximum people across the country. National Telemedicine forum had previously organized and arranged National Telemedicine Conference at Karachi and Islamabad on a very successful note. Coming towards Telemedicine working group, the objective of TELEMEDICINE TASK FORCE is to establish a forum that brings together national health-care authorities, decision makers and users of Telemedicine applications, to share their views and experiences on the requirements, results of assessment studies and planning for Telemedicine services. The concept is, due to the advancement in computing and Telecommunication technology; many elements of medical practice can now be accomplished when the patient and health care provider are geographically separated. Telemedicine is the transfer of electronic medical data (i.e. high resolution images, sounds, live video, and patient records) from one location to another to facilitate health providers, which may utilize a variety of Telecommunication technology, including, telephone lines, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), the Internet, intranets, and satellites. In no way does it mean that it is a substitution for health care. It helps in the improvement and renovation of the present health care system. Telemedicine uses the internet and video-conferencing equipment to allow a doctor in one location diagnose a patient in a different city, or even a different part of the world. It also enhances medical training and education by allowing doctors, nurses, dentists, medical students and other healthcare practitioners in one place to watch, for example, an operation taking place elsewhere. Live Telemedicine Video Conference held on 23rd April 2003 was very informative as it was the first of its kind in Pakistan on International Standards. The main objective was to spread the concept of Live Telemedicine Video Conference to every nook and corner of the country, keeping in mind flavor and the seriousness of thought implied by our government in the IT sector. Live Telemedicine Video Conference was arranged at PTCL Headquarters with the collaboration of TReMU and Dr. Asif Zafar Malik (Coordinator Telemedicine Forum) performing the task of event’s chief organizer. Live Telemedicine Video conference was a part of the program which was initiated in the first National Telemedicine Conference held in June 2002 at Hotel Serena, Islamabad. The conference was organized by Technology Resource Mobilization Unit (TReMU) and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) with technical support from INTERACTIVE Communications and Zhongxing Telecom (Pvt) Ltd. by government of Pakistan through Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom (MoIT&T), Higher Education Commission (HEC) to send doctors to USA for training in Telemedicine projects. Initially two Doctors Dr. Faisal Murad and Dr. Salman Gillani of National Telemedicine Forum (NTF) which is a working group of Technology Resource Mobilization Unit (TReMU). These doctors have been sent for Telemedicine training in USA by the efforts of Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC). Dr. S. T Naeem Akhtar (Head Pakistan Commission for Science & Technology) and Dr. Asif Zafar Malik (Coordinator Telemedicine Forum) needs to be specially mentioned for their persistence in making a deliberate effort in this regard. There were two panels on either side. The first panel on the US side was at Fort Detrick Washington, USA were as follows:
The second panel on the Pakistan side was located at PTCL Headquarters Islamabad, Pakistan were as follows:
The duration of Live Video conference was from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (PST) and 10:00 am to 12:00 pm US local time at Fort Detrick Washington DC. The conference was organized in three sessions:
In Introduction session Dr. Salman Gillani introduced the US panel whereas Dr. Asif Zafar Introduced panel from Pakistan. Dr. Belard in his address to the panel briefed the Telemedicine Training program and the objectives of this telemedicine video conference. He expressed his views that this training will bring positive change in the existing health facilities in Pakistan. He was full of praise for the two Doctors sent from Pakistan that they would surely be an asset to the country in times to come. Dr. Imran Ali, Assistant Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Pakistan, Washington DC mentioned about the diplomatic channels and administrative jobs performed by the Embassy of Pakistan to get the trainee doctors in USA. From Pakistan’s side Mr. Akhtar Bajwa, chairman PTCL introduced the company and its infrastructure throughout Pakistan. He expressed his concern that PTCL through its entire network will provide support for the Telemedicine Projects in our country to bring ease to health deprived citizens of Pakistan. Maj General Martinez of US Army gave briefing on the role of Telemedicine in US Army. He expressed his views that in Pakistan there is a revolution through information technology sector and this new infrastructure will help them a lot in achieving targets for many sectors of the economy. He showed his willingness for joint collaboration between USA and Pakistan in Telemedicine projects. Since he had worked with Army Doctors at Haiti way back in 1995, he was fully confident in the Doctors and Soldiers of this country. He showed lots of keenness in this program being introduced which will not only be medical assistance program but an economic growth also. Unfortunately Mr. Awais Ahmed Leghari (Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication) could not attend due to his last minute commitment with the official function of the Government; his message for Telemedicine was conveyed by the Advisor to Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication. Prof Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) highlighted the initiative being taken by his organization and role of Technology Resource Mobilization Unit (TReMU) as a bridge for Public and Private sector cooperation. He termed TReMU as think tank for taking initiatives for different sectors of economy. TReMU is facilitating professionals from Telemedicine to E-commerce and many other sectors of the economy. He further expressed the hope that after the completion of their training these doctors will bring revolutionary changes in Pakistan and kick of some potential projects in Pakistan. Prof Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman also invited Dr. General Martinez and Dr. Bellard to visit Pakistan which was at that very moment accepted by the two gentlemen. He further made it clear that all forms and types of communications and information technologies related to Telehealth/Telemedicine activities are now being incorporated. The technology in use varies with the health applications, service needs, geography and most likely the availability of the infrastructure. It is also very clear now that the technology in use in Telehealth has also changed and the factors that influence the adoption of new technology are affordable, available, capable, performance (reliability, quality of service, ease of use, robustness, comprehensiveness), and are able to respond to critical issues which by itself is a great achievement in a very short span of time. Mr. Salman Ansari, Advisor to the Minister of Information Technology and Telecom briefed the US panel on Technology Resource Mobilization Unit (TReMU) and its objectives. Mr. Salman Ansari further threw light on the potential of Telemedicine in Pakistan and also highlighted the efforts being made by Government of Pakistan in initiating its importance and the future role to be played in every aspect of life. Mr. Salman Ansari said that with the latest in Technology, internet can be accessed from over 1350 cities of Pakistan and not only that over 400 cities are on Fibre Optic all over the country. He also appraised the achievements that have been so far made by Telemedicine Task Force and increasing the vision of Telemedicine. His encouraging remarks and promise for the full support for Telemedicine Task Force is a positive sign and a step forward to a successful future of Telemedicine. He further highlighted the fact that the Technologies such as interactive videoconferencing, Internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, satellite and other wireless communications networks used in the field of Telemedicine are not that common as compared to other developed countries but Government of Pakistan with full cooperation of Telemedicine Task Force and other concerned Departments such as PTCL are into it and are trying level best to bring it to the International Standards. He also emphasized that Telemedicine can be effectively utilized for consultation in new patients referred from rural communities with a low no-show rate. When necessary, follow-up examinations can usually be performed using telemedicine. The second session was Demonstration session in which USA panel showed a video on Chest Trauma and Virtual Heart with specific details. Dr. Asif Zafar Malik gave his presentation on Telemedicine as effective tool in Tele education and showed the successful online Kidney stone surgery performed by him. The video is also being used for education purposes. He also appreciated the invitation given to General Martinez and Dr. Bellard in America by Prof Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman to visit Pakistan. In continuation to that Dr. Asif Zafar said that he will coordinate the visit which will coincide with International Telemedicine moot which would emphasize on the Regional needs of Telemedicine with focus on Pakistan. He also said that it will include pre congress Telemedicine training workshops, and initiation of Regional Telemedicine training centers. Dr Usama Ishtiaq gave his presentation of low bandwidth solution for Telemedicine projects in Pakistan, which is presently being used in Pakistan. Dr Ripin, representative from US State Department expressed his views on joint training program between USA and Pakistan. He hoped there will be a positive response from US government to take the initiative. In third and final Discussion session both the panels showed willingness on joint collaborative Telemedicine projects and ongoing process of such training programs with USA. Prof Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman invited the US panel to visit Pakistan and start two way traffic to bring timely results for these efforts. Dr Atta suggested the National Telemedicine Forum to submit their projects with PTCL as PTCL has funds in its Research and Development Budget to sponsor projects of such nature. Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) played vital role for arranging such events in the past for National Telemedicine Forum (NTF) on volunteer basis and without their help these initiatives were not feasible for NTF to be organized technically as well as financially. This e-mail has been sent to more than a thousand enthusiasts of Telemedicine all over Pakistan whose addresses were in our database from the previously held seminars and conferences arranged by TReMU. For further details kindly visit our website www.tremu.gov.pk where the same has also been posted in the discussion forum under the topic of Telemedicine. |
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