Currently 150 health facilities of Bangladesh provide telemedicine services with advanced technology. We began with 2 specialized hospitals (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases), 3 district hospitals (Shatkhira, Nilphamari and Gopalganj) and 3 sub-district hospitals (Pirgonj, Dakope and Debhata). Through the telemedicine service, admitted patients in district and sub-district level hospitals can take suggestions from the doctors of specialized hospitals without need for visiting the higher level hospitals. The centers have high end video camera with crisp video and audio quality, dedicated Internet bandwidth and peripherals like ECG, microscope, skin camera, ultrasound, stethoscope, BP machine, ophthalmoscope, auroscope, etc.
In the beginning of our ICT journey, we provided web-camera to each sub-district, district, medical college and post-graduate institute hospitals. These hospitals, therefore, also gave tele-medicine service using Skype or any other video conferencing platform.
We also introduced telemedicine Service in Community Clinics
Community clinics, located in the rural areas of Bangladesh, received laptop computers with Internet connection. Establishment of community clinics was the flagship program of present government. here is a community clinic for every 6,000 population and a total of 18,000 community clinics will be established with a view to deliver health care service to the rural citizens. The number of community clinics currently in operation is about 14,000. The MIS-DGHS provided laptops to the community clinics to use for multiple purposes, viz., telemedicine, updating local health data, giving health education to citizens and training of health staffs. The laptops have wireless internet connection and in-built web camera and audio system. There is no doctor in the community clinic, where medical advice is be provided by trained Community Health Care Provider. However, some patients visiting community clinics require consultation from a qualified medical doctor. Telemedicine helps in this regard. A doctor working in the nearby sub-district hospital provides such video consultation real time. As a result, absence of doctors in community clinics is minimized a bit.