Four Chennai-based hospitals, in association with the Space Hospitals, a division of Space Computers and Systems Ltd., are jointly establishing a dedicated telemedicine network linking private hospitals in remote areas of Tamil Nadu to offer 24-hour specialist consultancy services.

Initiated by the Madras Medical Mission, Rigid Lifeline, Goodwill Hospitals and COAST Hospital, in association with Space Hospitals, the telemedicine network aims to link about 30 satellite hospitals in the first phase. Verghese Eapen, vice president, Madras Medical Mission (MMC), inaugurated the facility, at a function held in MMC, this week.

Sources said, so far the facility has been linked to TD Nair Hospital at Anaimalai, Surya Hospital at Thiruvalluvar, Balaji Surya Hospital at Dharapuram, Sekar hospital at Thindivanam, K S Hospital at Kumbhakonam, Jaya Hospital in Sriperumpathur, Dakshin Trauma Hospital in Gobichettipalayam, CSI Kalyani Hospital in Chennai, Devaki Hospital in Karaikudi and Kanakesa Thevar Memorial Hospital in Pudukkottai.

A hub with a capacity to simultaneously network 300 hospitals has been set up in Alwarpet to act as the interface between the four hospitals and the satellite hospitals. The hospitals are networked though the optic fibre networks of BSNL and Reliance Infocom. The centre has facility to attend about 30 calls per hour.

The four hospitals also have set up adequate facilities to facilitate live consultation between experts at the four hospitals and the doctors at satellite centres. Space Hospitals has also set up facilities to help speedy transfer of X-rays, ECG, CT scans, angiograms, MRI echocardiography etc. for verification by experts sitting in Chennai.