12 March 2009
The Botshabelo community in the Free State today became one of the first
beneficiaries of four primary healthcare telemedicine workstations that will be
established at rural hospitals in the province. Funded by the innovation fund
an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, the telemedicine
workstations were developed by the University of Stellenbosch and the Medical
Research Council (MRC).
MTN South Africa foundation has committed bandwidth required to assist with
this telemedicine project. Telemedicine is defined as the use of
telecommunication technologies such as the internet to deliver medical
information and services to locations at a distance from the care giver or
educator. The national Department of Health introduced this concept in 1999 and
through co-ordination with the MRC, there are now several telemedicine projects
across the country today.
This is part of the South African National Telemedicine Strategy that seeks
to integrate the healthcare system by connecting and giving support to remote
and rural medical centres of South Africa and most importantly, strengthening
the referral systems. Speaking at the launch at Botshabelo District Hospital in
Bloemfontein on 12 March, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek
Hanekom, emphasised the role of science and technology in assisting service
departments to be able to work faster and smarter. He highlighted the need to
look at alternative ways to provide specialist care and other medical
interventions closer to the homes of patients by "bringing the doctor closer to
the patient."
MRC President, Professor Tony Mbewu said "telemedicine technology allows
patients to receive comprehensive care at a local clinic or hospital instead of
being referred to a tertiary hospital with the appropriate services. This
reduces the cost of unnecessary patient transfers and saves the patient
valuable time and expenses when away from work or their family."
MTN SA Chief Corporate Services Officer, Mr Zolisa Masiza, said the
partnership showed how effectively government and the private sector could
collaborate to solve the technical constraints that negatively impacted on the
service delivery of the healthcare sector.
This collaboration is an example of government, research institutions and
the private sector working together for the mutual benefit of all South
Africans.
For more information contacts:
Jill Fortuin
Medical Research Council
Cell: 082 464 7496
Bridgette Bhengu
MTN South Africa
Cell: 083 212 1964
Glaudina Loots
Department of Science and Technology
Cell: 082 448 1686
Gladys Joubert
Free State health department
Cell: 073 210 3642
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
12 March 2009
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za/)
