Virtual doctors a UK charity that provides a telemedicine service to rural health centres last week presented a brand new, state of the art, Ultrasound Machine (with all diagnostic probes) to the Zambian High Commissioner in London, His Excellency Mr Muyeba Chikonde.The presentation was made at the Zambian High Commission in London .The Ultrasound machine is for Chongwe Hospital, who are very much in need of an ultrasound for their patients.This means they do not have to refer patients to UTH each time. It will especially help maternal health cases and help to save lives.
The ultrasound was received by Dr Charles Msiska, the District Medical Officer for Chongwe District. The project helps clinical officers in rural areas request diagnosis and treatment advice from volunteer expert doctors in the UK using the telemedicine units.
Virtual Doctors provides sophisticated, easy to use telemedicine software and state of the art technology which allows rural based Clinical Officers to create concise electronic patient files, with patient condition photos. The software allows for speedy input of data and once complete the Clinical Officer chooses what type of expertise they need, for example paediatrics or infectious diseases. The patient data is sent through the system to several doctor ‘experts’ in the UK. The doctors receive a notification prompt. They analyse and assess the patient file, form an expert opinion, based on the patient data and images provided and respond with diagnosis and treatment advice.
Once the Clinical Officer is happy with the second opinion expert advice and thus better informed, they are able to treat their patient and the case is closed.
The telemedicine system connects to the Internet using the mobile phone broadband network in Zambia. Virtual Doctors provide the latest Samsung Galaxy Tablets, Internet and access to numerous doctors in the UK (who are all experts in different medical fields and all volunteer their time to help). The Virtual Doctors Service keeps up to date with technology innovations to phase into the service to suit the needs of rural health workers, providing the most effective service possible.
The aim of the Virtual Doctors to is to help Clinical Officers to treat more patients at their health centres. Reduce unnecessary referrals to distant hospitals and to help improve the knowledge and skills of rural health workers.
The project is set up in 5 rural health centres and one district hospital in Chongwe and Chilanga Districts.
Great Stuff Dr we thank you for the effort and the donors for the help God bless you all.