Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the public sector undertaking, has successfully linked GB Pant Hospital at Port Blair and Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Hospital (SRMC&RH) at Chennai through the Insat 3C satellite, dedicated to the nation on Wednesday.

The Chennai unit of BEL has implemented this "telemedicine" project using satellite connectivity in a record time of three months on a turnkey basis, a press communiqué from the company said.

The hospital in Port Blair is the first such to be connected to a mainland hospital via telemedicine. Following this, patients from the island can do away with visiting the mainland for medical check up unless a surgical eventuality is required.

Under the telemedicine facility, the virtual presence of a super-specialty doctor at Chennai to a patient at Port Blair will provide the best of the treatment facilities through exchange of medical information using satellite communication links.

It includes the transfer of images such as radiographs, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound studies, pathology images, video images of endoscopes and other procedures. This could also provide the patient's live interview, examination and consultations, the release said.

The Rs.40 lakh project was bagged by the company from ISRO against stiff competition from the private sector. BEL plans to demonstrate this facility to the defense authorities also, the release said.