Current Status of Tele-health in Bangladesh Regional Workshop on Using Space Technology for Tele-health to Benefit Asia and the Pacific Lucknow, India Current Status of Tele-health in Bangladesh Dr. Syed Umar Khyyam Member (Technology) & Project Director EDREMOS Project, SPARRSO Bangladesh 20-23 October, 2008

Functions of SPARRSO SPARRSO is involved in the multi-disciplinary application of space and remote sensing technology to (i) survey the natural resources, (ii) investigate different environmental issues and processes and (iii) monitor various natural hazards. It provides the government with relevant and up-to-date geo-information for facilitating formulation of national, regional and international policies and supporting appropriate applications towards ensuring sustainable development.

Functions of SPARRSO The organization plays a key-role to establish regional and international cooperation and collaboration for the peaceful application of space science technology. The working themes include acquisition, processing, analysis, application, interpretation and archival of remote sensing based geo-information on various geo-disciplinary areas in the country. It is the NATIONAL FOCAL POINT and acts as NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER FOR REMOTE SENSING BASED GEO-INFORMATION..

Functions of SPARRSO It disseminates knowledge of remote sensing technology in the country. It ensures quality of inferred information through remote sensing application and needs to be involved in monitoring and quality assurance processes for generating all remote sensing products.

Policies and Strategies for tele-health National ICT policy recommends the use of ICT in health care A National e-Health Policy (Strategy) was introduced in 2001 Norms and standards for e-Health Systems were adopted in 2004 Public funding has been provided between 1999 and 2002

Tele-health Infrastructure (ICT) Development Rapid ICT infrastructure development in Bangladesh providing increasing access to Information and Communication Technologies all over the country Bangladesh has been connected with SEP-MS-WS-L Submarine Cable ICT Policy recommended private sector investment to start more Cable network System

Tele-health Infrastructure (ICT) Development Bangladesh Telephone and Telegraph Board (BTTB) has been Privatized. Converted from Public owned department to private company as Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) Telephone call rate has been drastically reduced to 10-15 paisa/minute Dial up internet connection to all BTCL phone connection at10-15 paisa/minute rate

Tele-health Infrastructure (ICT) Development Customs duty and Tax reduced to a minimum on ICT hardware and software import Tele-health, Tele-medicine related software available in local ICT market. IT professionals capable of delivering customized software

Tele-health Infrastructure (ICT) Development About 40 million users of mobile phone and Internet service in Bangladesh Mobile phone and internet coverage is growing very fast. 40-50% mobile phone calls made to city from village are because of health issues Considering bandwidth, Coverage and Cost ICT infrastructure is quite supportive for development of Tele-Health in Bangladesh.

Tele-health Service In Public, Private And NGO Sector Public Sector ICT skills programs for health professionals have been provided since 2000. PMIS for health cadre professionals No dedicated Tele-medicine service in any public hospital

Tele-health Service In Public, Private And NGO Sector Public Sector No dedicated health portal in public or private sector No specific revenue or donor supported project for Tele-health No WHO support program in current Biennium

Tele-health Service In Public, Private And NGO Sector Private Sector Efforts for development of electronic health context (information and knowledge) by many institutes and tertiary level Private Hospitals; Examples, Bangladesh Institutes for Research and Rehabilitations for Diabetes Endocrine and Metabolic Disorder (BIRDEM). Apollo Hospital, Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital (JBFH), Comfort Nursing Home, Somorita Hospital, Medinova Telemedicine, Centre for Rehabilitations of the Paralysed (CRP).

Tele-health Service In Public, Private And NGO Sector e-health society Bangladesh Bangladesh Telemedicine Association SDNP Tele-health System Bangladesh Telemedicine Services DNS Telemedicine Limited

Types Of Tele-health Services Electronic Health Records (eHR) Patient Information System (PIS) Hospital Information System (HIS) National Electronic Registers National Drug Registers Directories of Healthcare Professionals Telemedicine Consultations Tele-education Tele-lab services Tele-health services for farmers Tele-video services Second Opinion, Third Opinion

Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Tele-health in Bangladesh Wide infrastructural (ICT) coverage Rapidly growing ICT coverage Protection of privacy of patient data Trust building Benefit over conventional system Cost Social and Legal issues

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