1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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..

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 paisa/minute Dial up internet connection to all BTCL phone connection at10-15 paisa/minute rate

8. 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

9. 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 % 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.

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

11. 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

12. 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).

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. THANK YOU