Telemedicine holds great potential for extending the reach of health-care services in developing countries. For example, in India, where the civilian per physician ratio is approximately 2000 to one; over 70 percent of the population lives in isolated villages. Many people live without access to adequate health care because 80 percent of health-care facilities are based in urban areas. Since 65 to 75 percent of treatments to do not require surgical interventions, telemedicine offers tremendous potential to deliver quality health care to rural and remote areas.

Connectivity and Specialized software

The Regional Broadband Global Area Network (RBGAN) satellite IP modem enables medical professionals in remote locations to communicate with their counterparts in an urban specialty hospital. The RBGAN is a portable, lightweight tool that offers speeds of up to 144Kps. A laptop configured with specialized software (provided by an I-LINX partner) encrypts and compresses data to be sent over the RBGAN.

Urban Specialty Hospital

Most hospitals typically have high bandwidth connectivity provided by VSAT, T1, DSL, or Cable Experts from a variety disciplines such as cardiology, gynecology, diabetology, pediatrics, and radiology, to name a few, can use the telemedicine system to analyze medical data in real time and make recommendations to doctors in remote areas. In addition, doctors can also see patients and speak with them directly via a web- conferencing link.

Remote Clinic

Doctors are equipped with a laptop and specialized medical equipment that converts readings into a digital format. EKGs, blood pressure readings, and even X-rays are automatically converted into a digital format that is read by the software. The RBGAN provides a stable and secure connection that allows the encrypted and compressed data to be sent over the Internet and viewed at the Urban Specialty Hospital.

Emergency Services

The same model that is used by the remote clinic can be adapted for emergency services and mobile disaster relief. First responders equipped with the telemedicine system can stay in touch with specialists when they reach the scene of a disaster.

Central Monitoring and Hosting Center

Servers that support the customized software are maintained at a central location. This hosting center facilitates communications and monitors traffic and connectivity from remote locations.

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