Govt pilots US$357K telemedicine project

GOVERNMENT is piloting a US$357 632 telemedicine project targeting remote rural areas to offer treatment to patients from the comfort of their homes.

Information and Publicity minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced in a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday that the project was being implemented in partnership with International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The ITU is a United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs).

“The pilot project entails the use of

ICTs to facilitate the provision of clinical healthcare using real-time two-way communication between physicians and patients at remote rural centres,” Mutsvangwa said.

“A total of 15 health centres were equipped with state-of-the-art Transportable Examination Stations comprising high-resolution autofocus examination cameras, stethoscope, a Total Vital Signs test device, a laptop, ultrasound scan devices, electrocardiography services and blood pressure cuffs.”

The 15 health centres will be linked to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

Mutsvangwa said telemedicine would improve health surveillance, health system management, health education and clinical decision-making to support behavioural changes related to public-health priorities and disease management.

“Furthermore, the programme will have the following benefits: offering treatment to patients in the comfort of their homes, confidentiality of medical information, reduction in travelling costs to health facilities, high responsiveness to medical emergencies and reduced referrals, consultation fees and mortality rates,” she said.