District and taluk hospitals to get tele ICU facilities soon

Hubballi: The district and taluk government hospitals in the state including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Dharwad will soon have tele ICUs as part of a project to upgrade facilities at government hospitals.
Over the past one and a half years the health department has been running tele ICU facility using the Zoom app. Now, using advanced technologies, the state government is going to install PTZ cameras and other equipment wherein doctors at remote places can not only interact with the patients, but can also examine them thoroughly.
For setting up of advanced tele ICUs the state government is planning to spend Rs 7 crore to begin with, and more funds will be pumped in if required.
Dr KV Trilok Chandra, commissioner, health and family welfare department, said, “Already we have initiated the process to float a tender to equip all district and taluk hospitals with advanced technology-based tele ICUs. A pilot tele ICU has been launched in Kodagu and it is functioning effectively since the past six months. We are going to extend the facility to all district and taluk hospitals.”
Currently, the state government has a tie-up with expert doctors of Columbia Asia, Manipal Hospital and Narayana Hrudayalaya who interact with patients through Zoom calls. Now the health department is planning to upgrade the system wherein doctors sitting in Bengaluru can examine the patients and give better treatment.
Trilok Chandra, said, “We have plans to finish the installation of the system for tele ICUs by the end of December. We plan tie-ups with Jayadeva Hospital for cardiology, with NIMHANS for neurological disorders and Kidwai Hospital for cancer treatment.”