In a pioneering initiative, the Apollo Hospitals is launching a tele-health network covering entire Tamil Nadu on December 14, 2002, according to a press communique.

Inauguration of the Apollo Telemedicine Network Foundation (ATNF) at the Anna University here on that day by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the presence of President A P J Abdul Kalam would mark the launch of the network.

"With the commissioning of this initiative in association with the Anna University, Tamil Nadu will become the first state to be networked to offer tele-health benefit to the rural population," Dr Prathap Reddy, executive chairman of the Apollo Hospitals, said in the communiqué.

He said ATNF would also effectively utilise the tele-health connectivity at all engineering colleges in the state to spread AIDS awareness through celebrity endorsements enhancing the existing UGC grant of Rs 350 per student per year.