Ahsan Jamal, Sabir Hussain, Ali Zafar, Asif Zafar Malik.
Role of Telemedicine during the earthquake disaster.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;10(2):94-6.

Background: This study highlights the role played by the remote telemedicine units in supplying the expert medical consultation during the post disaster rescue and rehabilitation of earthquake victims. Methods: International Telecommunications Union (ITU) provided to Government of Pakistan Inmarsat Satellite modems during the earth quake of October 2005. 15 modems were handed over to the Telemedicine & E-health training center Holy Family hospital, Rawalpindi to set up Mobile Telemedicine units. Remote telemedicine mobile set ups were stationed at Shohal Najaf field hospital Balakot NWFP, Hattian Bala and Muzzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir to cater the emergency and diagnostic medical needs of the affected of the earthquake. Equipment used was an IBM notebook, INMARSAT Satellite IP modem, webcam and digital camera. Student Volunteers from Rawalpindi Medical College, Islamic international university, Islamabad and GIK Institute participated in setting up Mobile telemedicine units. Telemedicine and Satellite configuration training was organized for these students at the e-Health training center at Surgical Unit II Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi. We report our experience at Balakot in this study of 28 patients who presented at the Shohal Najaf field hospital. Results: All these patients were provided with Teleconsultations and patients requiring further treatment were referred to tertiary care hospitals after initial work and preparation for surgery. This minimized their stay in hospital and ensured prompt treatment. Majority of Patients had multiple injuries. 43% patients required orthopaedic teleconsultations. Patients were treated locally at the field hospital (36%) and also referred to tertiary hospitals in consultation with specialists at Holy Family hospital (43%). Conclusions: This experience of complementing emergency relief work with mobile Telemedicine units is extremely valuable and can easily be replicated and deployed on urgent basis in wake of disasters.

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