Date:10/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/05/10/stories/2006051005111900.htm

Back ISRO signs MoU with AP Govt on telemedicine

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , May 9

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing telemedicine network in the State.

Under the MoU, the ISRO would provide satellite bandwidth for an initial period of two years. The network would be set up in two phases in the State. The first phase would cover Osmania General Hospital, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, MNJ Institute of Oncology and L V Prasad Eye Institute (all in Hyderabad).

NETWORK

These specialty hospitals would be connected to district hospitals in Anantapur, Kakinada, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) and Mullapudi Harischandraprasad Hospital (Tanuku).

The ISRO, which has developed expertise in SatCom (satellite communication) based telemedicine programme, has responded positively to an appeal made by the State Government seeking its help in establishing the network.

In a press release, Ms K. Ratna Prabha, Secretary (Information Technology and Communication), Govt of AP, said the ISRO had set up 165 nodes, connecting 132 remote hospitals with 33 specialty hospitals in States like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

The MoU was signed by Mr A. Bhaskaranarayana of ISRO and Dr I.V. Subba Rao, Principal Secretary (Medical and Health, Govt of AP), in the presence of Mr K. Rosaiah, Minister for Health and Finance.