Telehealth link tested and set to save lives that are far from PNG’s main hospitals.
Story By MAF Technologies, Kowara Bell
Pioneering telemedicine equipment could help save lives for patients in remote PNG communities, thanks to a partnership between MAF Technologies and the Simbu Provincial Health Authority (SIPHA) that allowed the equipment to be tested and fixed prior its launching.
The gadgets will be used in the highlands region of Simbu Province which means that patients stranded in remote locations can have access to some of the nation’s best specialists at the highly regarded Simbu provincial hospital in Kundiawa Town.
Chief Executive Officer for the Simbu Provincial Health Authority (SIPHA), Dr. Francis Wandi, announced that this equipment is a pilot project initiated through a partnership with DATACO PNG Limited [a state-owned body that serves the interest of the PNG government in terms of information and communication] to operate in Simbu Provincial hospital and its rural health centres.
The testing of this machine was performed outside Simbu Province to get a better scope of how the machine can work outside the main monitoring station, therefore, it was brought down to MAF Technologies for testing.
This is just the beginning of a new chapter for the health services throughout PNG.
“I would like to thank the MAF Technologies team and other partnering organisations like Care International who have made it possible for the testing to be a successful one as this is just the beginning of a new chapter for the health services throughout PNG.’’ Dr. Wandi said.
He furthermore highlighted that the machine will be the eyes and ears for the doctors who will be able to monitor their patients at the rural health centres whilst being stationed at the Simbu provincial hospital.
MAF Technologies General Manager, Bryan Mathews, revealed that the equipment had a problem with the battery system. However, it was replaced and fixed by the technicians within a two-day period. “We made sure that the software and cameras were working properly, as well as the settings were also corrected before it was taken back to Simbu Provincial hospital.”
The three districts that this tele medicine equipment will be tested and monitored in are Gumine, Karamui and Kerowagi district, whiles the fourth and main station will be situated at Simbu Provincial hospital for the medical consultants to monitor the other three stations.
Furthermore, SIPHA aims to extend its partnership with MAF Technologies to initiate an agreement that will assist the rural areas of Simbu Province for basic and effective health service delivery. The two organisations are now keen to enter a (MOU) Memorandum of Understanding to tackle the health service needs for rural communities in Simbu Province.