The Centre is planning to expand the telemedicine programme to include specially the disease prone areas in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Discussions have been launched with these two states for introduction of telemedicine systems by connecting maximum hospitals especially in the rural areas.

Expansion of telemedicine program is progressing well and telemedicine facilities have been established in over 300 hospitals so far. Telemedicine facilities in North East (28 nos.) and Orissa (9) cover the disease-prone areas also. Treatment of cancer will be one of the focused areas under the programme, sources said.

The concept of networking all the Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) through telemedicine originated from the cancer desk of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The project, named Telemedicine-Cantelmed, was assigned to Tata Memorial Centre to improve access to cancer care and cancer initiatives in underserved areas and finally provide hub and spoke services in the peripheral areas and to reduce costs of cancer care delivery. The implementation was envisaged in phases to ensure gradual acceptance and integration of the telemedicine services with the cancer care delivery system at the participating institutions.

The network has 31 centres consisting of 15 RCCs and 16 other hospitals as well as two overseas centres connected to hospitals. The network has been used by remote nodes for over 900 telemedicine and telepathology consultations. Plans are afoot to expand the reach of telemedicine through the Onconet Programme for Teleconsultations, medical education and also for connecting with additional nodes on the ISRO network.

It is also envisaged to increase patient education and awareness for follow up from remote nodes. Further, it is intended to enhance the value addition through regular CME by broadcasting weekly clinical meetings to the remote nodes and broadcasting lectures and demonstrations in preventive oncology and early detection, nursing techniques, ICU care, catheter care, infection control etc, sources said.