The Ministry of Health and Sports of Bolivia will implement a remote healthcare system in public hospitals at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. This will allow citizens to consult medical specialists without needing to move between cities.
The measure will make it possible for patients to be seen and treated in real time by videoconference.
The vice-minister for Health and Promotion, Martin Maturano, stated that the incorporation of telehealth into national healthcare services would require an investment of 20 million dollars.
“This will undoubtedly be a defining moment in the history of public health in the country,” Maturano said.
In addition, the vice-minister declared that this is one of the most noble benefits that IT tools can offer, as it means that healthcare will be able to reach the entire nation.
“We hope that the program will reach every last corner of the country,” said Maturano. To achieve this, services provided by the satellite Túpac Katari, which was launched into space on December 20, 2013, will be used.
Juan Carlos Calvimontes, the Bolivian Minister of Health, stated that four levels of Telehealth will be implemented: Tele 1 will be connected in 269 municipalities, Tele 2 in 61 municipalities and Tele 3 in nine municipalities. Tele 4 will be the platform that will administer the database and digital infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Health and Sport’s estimates, the project will be implemented in the second semester of the year.
Source: Agencia Boliviana de Información
