Telemedicine Society of India (TSI) has organised International Telemedicine Congress- Telemedicon’11 at Hotel Westin, Mumbai from November 11-13, 2011 with the launch of the Continua Health Alliance on 13th November 2011.

Distinguished speakers present at the event included: Aneesh Chopra, CTO and assistant to the President, USA, Sachin Pilot, Minster of State for IT, Government of India, Dr Pratap Reddy, chairman, Apollo Hospitals group, Shankar Aggarwal, additional secretary, DIT, Government of India, Jayanth Banthia, additional chief secretary, Public Health, Government of Maharashtra.

Rajendra Pratap Gupta, chairman, TSI talked about the theme of the congress to take telemedicine beyond the pilot phase and how to leverage technology for healthcare. Dr K Ganapathy, president, TSI stressed about the progress that TSI has made in the field of telemedicine in the last couple of years. The special keynote by Lord Nigel Crisp, former CEO, NHS and Member house of Lords UK, spoke about the global challenges for telemedicine and the progress that telemedicine has made till date globally.

Shankar Aggarwal, additional secretary, DIT, Govt. of India discussed about the economic/political growth of India and the role that government is playing in promoting/implementing the Telemedicine in India. Vishal Gupta, VP-CISCO informed about the key issues faced by the telemedicine growth in India and the role that CISCO is playing in promoting/implementing it.

Sachin Pilot focussed on the collaborating approach that needs to be followed in making telemedicine, a success in India and how technology can play an important part in achieving our goals. He also stressed upon the fact that government is open to new ideas and actively involved in making new policies for better IT connectivity for applications such as Telehealth.

Dr K Ganpathy, president, TSI discussed the journey of telehealth in India since 1996 and the accomplishments that he has achieved in his career. He also discussed the associations with other countries like Mauritius, Uganda etc., and also the Pan Africa network.

Jayanth Banthia spoke about the progress of telemedicine in the state and the steps that state government is taking in promoting the telemedicine.

Aneesh Chopra, US Chief technology officer was excited about potential of telemedicine not only in India but across globe, moving from prototyping and piloting to sustainability. He spoke about the US-India partnership in making the telemedicine a global success.

Rajendra Pratap Gupta, a leading healthcare expert and chairman Telemedicon’11 said that TSI's effort is to continue forward, taking advantage of the momentum build and work relentlessly towards the success of Telemedicine in this country and take it beyond the pilot phase. Gupta further added that DMAI – Disease Management Association of India & Continua Health Alliance will co-host and incubate three ideas in telemedicine to address rural health, NCD’s and health education and awareness. Gupta also added, that three major global leaders have committed to fund a telemedicine project to showcase how telemedicine can increase reach and outcomes and reduce costs for the developing world.