Telemedicine in Bahrain in focus

Manama, July26 (BNA): A forum highlighting the prospects of telemedicine in Bahrain was held today at the Gulf Hotel in Manama. Health Minister Faeqa bint Said Al-Saleh patronized the symposium, which was also attended by Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Dr. Mariam Al-Hajeri, Assistant Undersecretary for Prime Healthcare Dr. Manal Al-Alawi and other senior officials. The forum focused on discussing results of the first ever Telemedicine experience in Bahrain, which consists in the remote delivery of healthcare services, such as health assessments or consultations, over the telecommunications infrastructure. The ministry launched the initiative on an experimental basis last February at primary healthcare centre and a secondary healthcare ward at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC). Initial results of a study mapping the projects revealed a rate of approval of 97 per cent of the Telemedicine procedure. Addressing the forum, the minister stressed the need to keep abreast of latest healthcare and therapeutic trends in the world. She underlined the importance of information technology in enhancing the standard of health and medical services for patients and improving performance. Family practitioner Dr. Khatoon Shebr and Sickle Cell Clinics coordinator Ali Darwish designed the innovative project in cooperation with the Information and Electronic Government Authority (iGA).