Panchthar: Telemedicine service has been started at Rabi Health Center in Ravi Bazaar of Miklajung Rural Municipality.
The service was inaugurated on Wednesday by Simon Henkele, Deputy Chief of Development Aid of the German Development Agency, in collaboration with the Renewable Energy Program for Rural Areas (RERA) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
With the aim of providing more benefits to the chronically ill, financially weak and those who are deprived of health care and those who are unable to go far for treatment, the service has been operated with the investment of Rs. one corore 97 lakhs Chief Administrative Officer Anil Tikhatri informed.
The money will be used to pay for more health machines at the health center, equipment for video conferencing, solar system connection for electricity and capacity building trainings. The entire management municipality and the health center have started the test two months ago. So far, 84 people have received services from this program.
Through the Internet-based tele-health service, patients in remote and rural areas have been able to consult with the specialists of large hospitals in accessible and urban areas through video conferencing with the help of local health posts. Facilitating the services of doctors for remote patients has become more successful during the epidemic. The health center operates maternity services including OPD, Emergency, USG, Ultrasound, ECG, Lab Test. There were 24 health workers including a doctor.
The inaugural program was presided over by Amar Raj Makhim, Chairman of the Municipality. The program was conducted by Dr. Bal Kumar Limbu of the Health Center in both English and Nepali languages. At the event, Palika Chairperson Makhim and Vice Chairperson Urmila Rai presented a token of affection to the guests and presented a preamble to conduct additional programs.
The agreement was signed between the municipality and the Center for Alternative Energy Promotion, Renewable Energy Program for Rural Areas (RERA). According to the office, the municipality has moved ahead in the process of formulating and issuing renewable energy policy, formulating and issuing water resource utilization procedures and conducting additional programs.
Telemedicine services have been brought into operation in more than 30 districts in remote areas where health services are not available in Nepal for the last six years. This service has become very effective in remote areas like Karnali.
