January 29, 2008 — AMD Telemedicine, the world’s leading provider of telemedicine equipment with over 5,000 installations in 70 countries, today announced that it had provided Roshan, Afghanistan’s leading telecom operator, with equipment for a new phase of its telemedicine program.
In June 2007 Roshan launched a first-of-its-kind telemedicine program in Afghanistan. The program, using broadband technology, wireless video consultation, and digital image transfer, links Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Karachi, Pakistan, with the French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC) in Kabul. It provides hospitals in Afghanistan with real-time access to specialist diagnoses, treatment, and training expertise from abroad.
In addition to the radiology expertise made available during the initial phase of Afghanistan’s telemedicine project, the new AMD equipment, including a digital stethoscope, a 12-lead interpretive electrocardiogram (ECG) for the PC, an ear/nose/throat scope and an ophthalmic scope, will inaugurate a new phase of the program, making cardiology, ENT, and ophthalmic telemedical care possible.
“Access to healthcare, especially specialist diagnosis and treatment, remains a critical problem in Afghanistan,” said Karim Khoja, CEO of Roshan. “Telemedicine technology provides a solution that has the potential to dramatically expand access to quality medical care for Afghans whose only option previously was to seek specialist diagnosis or treatment overseas. Telemedicine not only immediately enhances access to medical diagnosis and treatment, but it also helps to build and sustain the nation’s health care capacity through sharing of expertise. Patients will now benefit from the international knowledge without the need to transport specialists to the country.”
Subsequent phases of the program will link major Afghan regional hospitals to the FMIC, which is being developed as an Afghan center of medical excellence. Eventually, the links will be extended to medical institutions in Europe and North America.
“Our Government is striving to improve the quality of life of our people and providing quality health care is one of our top priorities. Telemedicine is the perfect marriage between the speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness of wireless and broadband technology. This innovative use of technology and telecommunications to enhance health care delivery will help underpin our efforts to meet the nation’s other development challenges,” said Amirzai Sangin, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Looking Forward
The Afghan telemedicine project is seen as a model for addressing health care delivery in other developing countries where access to medical diagnosis, treatment, and training is limited.
“We are very excited about our work with Roshan and the Afghan Telemedicine Project,” said Steven Normandin President of AMD. “We look forward to a long and productive working relationship with our colleagues in Kabul.”
Ismailimail 