DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Telemedicine Center, Holy Family hospital, Rawalpindi: Prior Experience
Background
The 2005 Earthquake of Pakistan left widespread destruction, killing at least 80,000 people, severely injuring another 70,000 and leaving 2.8 million people without shelter. Telemedicine Center at Holy Family Hospital was identified as the only center in the country which could play its role in providing the relief to disaster areas through telemedicine. On request from ministry of IT and Pakistan software board, this center established mobile telemedicine centers in earthquake affected areas of Pakistan. Telemedicine center developed mobile telemedicine units with collaboration of International telecommunication union (ITU) and INTEL. International Telecommunication Union provided on loan 15 Inmar-Sat Satellite modems to be deployed in areas where there was no communication available. Intel Corporation provided 15 IBM Notebooks and webcams for mobile telemedicine units. The staff of the Telemedicine center customized the telemedicine software and trained volunteers before deployment in the earthquake areas for assisting in the relief efforts. Telemedicine software was customized for disaster relief. Telemedicine centers were established in NWFP and AJK, most affected areas of Pakistan. Each center was equipped with telemedicine hard ware including Note book, Web camera, Inmarsat Satellite phones and connectivity. These centers were established in existing relief hospitals. The Medical staff got consultation about the earthquake victims from consultants at the hub.
Volunteers were trained in setting up of telemedicine satellite units and seeking Teleconsultations through short duration workshops at Telemedicine/E-health training center, Surgical Unit II, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. These short duration training workshops enabled them to Configure Inmarsat to Notebooks and get satellite connectivity, to use telemedicine software and to facilitate the existing medical staff to get Teleconsultations from the consultants at the hub.
Emergency Response Telemedicine Vehicle
Holy family hospital (HFH) was one of the hospitals actively involved provide health care to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Swat and Mardan districts. Apart from mobilizing teams to provide onsite medical care, telemedicine was added to strengthen these services. Initially teams comprising of doctors of all major specialties like Surgery, Medicine, Ob /Gyne, ENT / EYE and Paramedics were in Mardan. It was then possible to cover all other specialties and at the same time have opinion from senior medical staff based at Holy family hospital. This was possible by Mobile Telemedicine vehicle made operational under supervision of Telemedicine/E-Health Training Center at Holy Family Hospital. Teams from HFH including doctors & Paramedics were sent to refugee camps to address their medical problems. Specialist support to these teams was provided through Teleconsultations utilizing Mobile Telemedicine vehicle. This was indigenous customization of ordinary vehicle. The capsule of the vehicle was designed and developed locally. The satellite dish for communication was mounted on the top. The vehicle was further equipped with Video Conferencing equipment & Telemedicine tools like General examination Camera, Otolaryngoscope, ECG, related medical and IT equipment. Satellite connectivity was provided by Pak datacom. The medical staff at refugee camps after initial evaluation of the patients used to discuss it with specialists at HFH for further evaluation and management.
MOU - ITU & Telemedicine & e- Health center
“Cooperation for disaster preparedness and response through Telemedicine
& e- health”
Emergency Response Telemedicine Vehicle
Vehicle Equiped with Videoconferencing equipment and Telemedicine Peripheral tools for Dermatology, Cardiology and DIGITAL ULTRASOUNDS.