News Keeping you up to date
4th June 2015

A look at Satellite Communications for Telemedicine

Satellite communications can be used as a tool to help to improve lives around the globe, from seafarers in the middle of the ocean who won’t see land for weeks, to teams on remote oil fields thousands of miles from home, and to those affected by natural disaster in remote areas.  At Satcom Global, we understand that one size does not fit all, and satellite communications solutions must come in different shapes and sizes. We are committed to working with experts in different industries and sectors to create tailored solutions for their needs, which can then be deployed in their field bringing a wealth of benefits which can change lives in different communities around the world.

One key industry utilizing satellite communications to change lives is Telemedicine; the use of telecommunication and information technologies in order to provide remote medical assistance and clinical health care that are not consistently available in distant rural communities. Technological developments in Telemedicine are vital to improve access to medical services, as they break down barriers to treatment such as distance and mobility, through videoconferencing, transferring of electronic health records, viewing of X-rays and other digital images, and as well as providing means of increased communications with voice calls from any location.

As a vast nation that occupies an area of 17,125,407 km² and covers 11 time zones, Telemedicine is of particular importance in Russia.

Recent statistics from the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation (SPRF) revealed that ‘approximately 17,500 towns and villages in Russia have no health care infrastructure whatsoever.’ The report goes on to explain that ‘Over 11,000 of them are located more than 20 kilometers from the nearest medical institution where a physician can be found.’ This makes Telemedicine a vital instrument in bringing medical care to Russian citizens living in remote areas, where helicopters are the only transport capable of reaching remote patients.

Our Satcom Global team on the ground in Russia are committed to raising awareness and sharing their expert knowledge on technological developments in satellite communications which could help boost the Telemedicine industry. This year, Satcom Global Russia LLC, led by CEO Elena Lu-Ke-Su, were proud to take part in the 24th Telemedicine School in Russia which ran from 19th - 29th May 2015. The event, held twice a year, brings together representatives from the medical industry in Russia from doctors, hospital management, as well as IT-managers in the industry.

At the event, Victor Gorodetsky, a key member in the Satcom Global LLC Russia team, presented a clear and comprehensive overview of mobile satellite communications, showcasing the medical applications available for doctors and patients at homes, as well as various scenarios of how data from medical devices runs via portable and compact terminals from Inmarsat and Iridium to doctors at hospitals and the telemedicine centers. The team gave live demonstrations and workshop style seminars to showcase Inmarsat’s BGAN service using the robust EXPLORER 700 and EXPLORER 510 terminals, as well as the compact Wi-Fi hotspot devices; the Inmarsat IsatHub and the Iridium GO!

      

During the engaging seminar, participants were invited to take part in an activity requiring them to design a telemedicine center and solution of their own, putting their new knowledge of satellite communications capabilities into real life scenarios. Winners of the competition who had developed the best telemedicine center incorporating Inmarsat and Iridium services, received prizes including chocolates in the shapes of various medical instruments to fit the weeks theme – including a thermometer, scalpel, syringe!

If you have any questions or want to speak to an expert in your region about how satellite communications can be utilized in your industry, please Just Ask.

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Telemedicine