Current situation and future opportunity of telemedicine in Bangladesh

Abstract

Developing countries are leisurely adopter of new technologies, particularly with regards to the health services of these countries. This study explores the current health information infrastructure and future prospects of information and communication technology in health system of Bangladesh using an interpretative case study approach and proposes apply Telemedicine system to ensure health for all.

This study almost certainly the first of its variety in Bangladesh; there have been some inadequate studies of Telemedicine early trials in some developing countries assessing the challenges of implementation. This study briefly mentions one of such; the Indian Telemedicine system.

Some confronts that would obstruct the implementation of Telemedicine in Bangladesh are the initial huge start up costs, poor ICT culture of healthcare professionals and people embedding political meanings into the system. The weak state of information infrastructure at the hospital would be another challenge in implementation Telemedicine. Here Telemedicine could potentially reduce waiting times for patients, reduce the cost of the health system’s operations, improve interdepartmental, inter-hospital communication and collaboration, provide opportunity for sharing best practices among physicians within Bangladesh and international hospitals, and enhance better resource allocation.