Bhutanese Health Telematics Project: overcoming the barriers

The potential benefits of the telemedicine can be reaped fully by any developing country as unique as Bhutan. The experience of implementing telemedicine gives a valuable insight on the benefits accrued to the peripheral Regional Referral Hospital of Mongar (MRRH) that has shortage in specialized medical professionals and higher diagnostic capacity. The far flung areas like Trashiyangtse and Lhuentse hospitals benefiting ECG and ultrasound consultations from the MRRH, National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) and the APT 2/sup nd/ Opinion Center in Tokai University has also made possible of attaining specialized services locally. Tele-radiology proves to be the most popular application. With the highest political commitment and the drive to improve the quality of health care in the current 9/sup th/ plan there is no turning back for the Bhutanese Health Telematics Project.