Kathmandu, January 19

Bir Hospital is set to launch telemedicine services to provide healthcare services to people living in remote areas.

Infrastructures for launching telemedicine services have already been set up in the hospital. It has already started transmission and completed the trail phase. The hospital is now working to make round-the-clock arrangement of doctors.

The services will first be launched in Dhading and Dolakha and gradually be extended to  Butwal, Chitwan and Biratnagar in collaboration with doctors of National Academy of Medical Sciences and Bir Hospital, as per Dr Bhupendra Basnet, director, Bir Hospital.

“Doctors living in remote areas can consult specialists in Bir Hospital through video conferencing. This will improve delivery of treatment,” said Dr Basnet.

The service will be helpful to people living in remote areas as they will not have to travel a long distance for treatment. “It saves time and is also cost effective. Similarly, it will also be beneficial for patients who need to be in regular touch with doctors for consultation,” said Dr Basnet.

Currently, 2,000 people visit the out-patient department of Bir Hospital while the hospital has the capacity of treating 460 indoor patients.

Telemedicine is the use of telecommunications technology to provide delivery of healthcare services to patients living in remote locations. This allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients without the need for hospital visit.