More remote communities to benefit from ‘telemedicine’

People living in another 15 remote, hinterland communities across Guyana are set to benefit from the Health Ministry’s new ‘telemedicine’ venture, which allows health professionals in those areas to connect with specialists in Georgetown or on the coast.

This is according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony who spoke at the launch of a new training programme on Friday at the National Racquet Centre in Georgetown.

This telemedicine project started last year in four small, far-flung communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo).

Through this telemedicine programme, community health workers based at health centres have been able to access the expertise of doctors and other professionals in Georgetown through phones, laptops and other electronic devices. It was envisaged that the programme would reduce treatment time and save lives.

Because of successes with the programme and the benefits of infusing technology into health services, it is being expanded.

“More and more we are now using technology to do medicine,” Dr. Anthony said.

Of the 15 new sites, another four will be in Region Nine. And Regions One, Seven and Eight will each see four sites established.

Dr. Anthony also said that the Health Ministry will soon commence training for locals to be able to fix the medical equipment and internet-connected devices at each of the sites. In doing so, he believes that there would be fewer interruptions in the services provided to people in the remote communities.