The AIMS Telemedicine Network is the largest 24/7 digital health network in India today. Patients in geographically remote areas that lack advanced medical care have instantaneous access to specialist doctors in AIMS.

Nearly 40 locations around the country are connected, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshwadweep, Leh-Ladakh, north-eastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland.

Now the network has begun extending its services beyond India’s borders. On May 4, 2009, it became part of the nation’s PAN-African telemedicine network.

“AIMS Telemedicine is proud to be part of this initiative, as one of the select Indian super-specialty hospitals,” stated Dr. Kumar Menon, Physician In-charge. “We will provide e-health services to Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Seychelles. Medical consultation in various medical specialties will be made available to care centers and hospitals in these rural areas. Later the service will be extended to include 53 African countries. Through a satellite and fiber optic network, we will reach out to remote and rural areas in need.”

PAN-African e-network is a Government of India initiative.

First proposed by the then-President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam, at the inaugural session of the PAN-African parliament held at Johannesburg in 2004, the network’s main aim is to provide adequate educational facilities and affordable healthcare eventually in all 53 nations of the African Union.

Amrita’s participation in this initiative comes close on the heels of Amma’s recent visit to Africa . During this visit, scholarships were instituted for destitute children and 54 chosen to live in the new orphanage the MA Math will build in Kenya. (see news)

The inaugural telecast was that of a CME (Continuing Medical Education) session, for doctors in the rural centers of Africa. The topic — Infectious Diseases, Prevention and Control. Dr. Girish, General Medicine interacted with doctors in 13 countries on the African continent as he shared his insights and knowledge from the 5th floor of the AIMS medical college building. “Digital health to every doorstep, we have long aspired to this goal,” he stated. “I am happy that after Amma’s visit, we are now able to serve the African people in yet another manner.”

June 1, 2009
Amrita Center for Telemedicine, Kochi