Deputy health minister: Government highlights applying of telemedicine system

YEREVAN, APRIL 26, ARMENPRESS: Steps are being undertaken for applying the telemedicine system in Armenia. Armenpress news agency spoke with the deputy health minister Sergey Khachatryan about the coming works and the existing issues.

- Mr Khachatryan, what does the telemedicine program suppose? What important elements does it possess?

- The telemedicine gives opportunity to solve the treatment, diagnostic issues of patients through exchange of information, on the basis of newest technology. The telemedicine method is being applied in many countries of the world, it is quite effective and includes a number of elements – existence of special devices, communication service and ensuring software. Specialists of different countries, using the newest methods, exchange experience, discuss issues of treating patients, etc. The telemedicine gives an opportunity in case of extraordinary cases establish direct contact with any specialized establishment and to get a guideline during the operation. It is possible to discuss the results of medical researches with the specialists of other countries. By the way, it is possible to establish ties with several specialists which is very important during the extraordinary cases.

The telemedicine is also important between the clinics of capital and provinces as well as between the leading clinics of Yerevan. The Armenian government rates high the applying of the telemedicine and keeps issues connected with it under its spotlight. Telemedicine is also being used in respect of formation of knowledge. Here the issue is not only treating a patient. If we are saying that there is an issue of improving the skills of specialists it is an ideal way to do it. For instance, local specialists may see the process of operation and get acquainted with the methods.

- For applying telemedicine it is necessary to be correspondingly equipped. What steps are being undertaken to equip the medical establishments of provinces and Yerevan?

- Yes, to be technologically equipped is very important. This issue is under our spotlight and corresponding steps are being carried out. Currently we are actively reconstructing the medical establishments in provinces. In certain places new medical centers are being created. The reconstruction or construction supposes ensuring of necessary furniture, equipment. The provincial hospitals get necessary devices, moreover each medical establishment has separated telecommunication-consulting rooms equipped with newest devices. They give opportunity to get in touch with Yerevan clinics.

Today technology is being applied in the provincial medical centers, communication exists but today’s opportunities do not allow to implement telemedicine at its full. It needs to be developed.

- What steps are intended to be carried out in near future for the development of telemedicine?

- For the complete usage of the opportunities of telemedicine it is necessary to have special devices which are rather expensive. We are negotiating with Russia for acquiring them. The Russian party is ready to donate several such devices with mobile centers. We have already conducted necessary studies to understand the quantity of devices and communication we need. The Russian specialists will also help us to operate the devices, they will show how to do it.

We are in contact with different countries of the world. As soon as we have necessary devices, software we will cooperate with specialists.