Project Overview
This WP5 project under the 2nd Call provides continuous training for hospital engineers and doctors to establish and expand telemedicine across Asia-Pacific beneficiary countries. Coordinated by the Telemedicine Development Center of Asia (TEMDEC) at Kyushu University Hospital, Japan, the initiative addresses the critical need for specialized engineering support in hospitals while expanding telemedicine services to remote and rural areas.
60
Participants from 9 Countries
210
Connected Institutions
12
Countries Involved
80
Teleconference Connections
Beneficiary Countries
Bangladesh
Cambodia
China
India
Indonesia
Malaysia
Myanmar
Nepal
Pakistan
Philippines
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand
Vietnam
Project Objectives
Technical Training: Provide comprehensive training for hospital engineers in Internet management and audio-visual handling
Train-the-Trainer Program: Organize intensive training programs to develop regional expertise
Annual Symposium: Host Asia Telemedicine Symposium for knowledge sharing and networking
Domestic Workshops: Organize local telemedicine workshops in each beneficiary country
Geographic Expansion: Extend activities to new countries including Myanmar and Central Asia
Technology Enhancement: Continuously improve systems with developing technology
Medical Standardization: Promote standardized healthcare delivery across beneficiary countries
Global Collaboration: Foster partnerships with Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia
Key Outcomes & Achievements
Enhanced Skills: Engineers gained deeper understanding of medical needs, fostering stronger doctor-engineer collaboration
Program Recognition: Endoscopy teleconference program endorsed as "excellent programme" by Asian Pacific Society of Digestive Endoscopy
Specialty Expansion: Telemedicine expanded to include neurology and ophthalmology subspecialties
Regional Leadership: Train-the-Trainer program empowered engineers to become country leaders
Network Growth: Increased participation of hospitals and greater REN utilization
Cross-border Networks: Strengthened human networks across 12 countries with 60 participants
Medical Education: Improved access to advanced medical knowledge from developed countries
Quality Improvement: Enhanced teleconference management and technical quality
Institutional Growth: Many new institutions joined telemedicine initiatives
Standardized Care: Contributed to providing world-standard healthcare to patients in remote areas
Challenges & Solutions
Key Challenges
Audio Problems: Persistent audio issues from unqualified microphones causing noise and echo disruptions
Resource Shortages: Inadequate equipment and dedicated staff limitations in some regions
Network Infrastructure: RENs not well-established in all developing countries, limited connectivity to rural hospitals
Geographic Disparities: Remote hospitals less involved despite having greater telemedicine needs
Doctor Engagement: Limited to small medical communities, need broader promotion for wider adoption
Ongoing Solutions
Technical Prevention: Focus on preventive measures rather than reactive troubleshooting approaches
Equipment Standards: Implementing qualified audio equipment standards and training protocols
Infrastructure Development: Expanding REN connectivity to suburban and rural healthcare facilities
Capacity Building: Continuous education programs for engineers and medical professionals
Awareness Campaigns: Promoting telemedicine advantages to broader medical communities
Future Directions
Expanded Training: Increase number of training programs for hospital engineers across all beneficiary countries
New Workshops: Launch domestic telemedicine workshops in China, Thailand, and India
Regional Symposia: Host Asia Telemedicine Symposia in Philippines, Indonesia, India, Nepal, and China
Country Expansion: Initiate activities in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Bhutan, Mongolia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (FY2020-2022)
Global Outreach: Expand telemedicine activities worldwide through collaborative partnerships
Activity Evaluation: Systematic assessment of project effectiveness and impact measurement