The US-based Robertson Technologies in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation, Central Michigan University (US) and the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) is developing a software that will aid in diagnosing diseases that are specific to Indian population. The uniqueness of the software is that it can be used by non-medical personnel in rural areas where access to health is a challenge, Dr Joel Robertson, CEO, Robertson Technologies told Pharmabiz.

As per a WHO report, about 514 million people in India have no access to physicians. In some regions, there are no physicians and specialists to treat Malaria, Diarrhoea and Gastro intestinal diseases. The software is expected to help non-physicians and minimally educated individuals to diagnose diseases. It provides a series of queries that a non-medical personnel can ask a patient in the absence of a medical expert.

NIMS will support the initiative by conducting field study using the software on patients suffering with gastro-intestinal disorders. Initially seven general physicians (non-specialists) of NIMS will be trained. The software helps the user with current treatment options and gets updated regularly. It is claimed to be the first such software for non-medical personnel globally.

Robertson Technologies has provided NIMS with the software that has database on gastrointestinal disorders, a common disorder. NIMS will take up a pilot study for three months from now and plans to send 200 patients' database to Central Michigan University for analysis. NIMS has obtained Ethics Committee approval to conduct the pilot study. NIMS has earlier provided a list of 300 diseases for which such software has been sought from Robertson Technologies, NIMS officials said.

The team has proposed to publish the study results in an international journal at a later stage. All the pre-requisites for the study has been completed. Informed consent of patients will also be taken who will take part in the study. Microsoft will be extending technical and marketing support towards this initiative. Michigan University will also help in raising funds through private organisations and will provide research expertise.

Besides India, Robertson Technologies has initiated collaborations with the Dominican Republic, Congo and Ghana. It has so far invested about $ 12 million and the total investment on this project will be in the tune of $ 20 million. The company also plans to take up the initiative to countries such as China and African region, Dr Robertson said.

Robertson Technologies is targeting to develop software that addresses about 1,150 common diseases worldwide, of which it has completed basic activity on 600 diseases. It expects to make substantial progress by June 2007. It has proposed to make available software for about 150 diseases that are relevant to India.

He added, the current model on which the company is working represents 'Medical Decision Support System' The model involves gathering information, medical data storage, interpretation and treatment.