Binaytara Foundation Launches Telemedicine to Improve Healthcare in Nepal

    CHICAGO, IL, April 20, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Binaytara Foundation (BTF) launches telemedicine between physicians in USA and those in Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal to help improve patient care and promote evidence-based medicine in Nepal. Telemedicine involves the use of broadband technology that provides real-time high speed access for the transfer of medical imaging, video, data and voice. The technology also enables e-learning and training through video consultation. Expert physicians from the USA have volunteered for this project.

Binaytara Foundation (BTF) is a US-based Illinois non-profit organization exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The mission of the foundation is to promote health and education. BTF plans to expand the telemedicine project to other hospitals in Nepal and other developing countries. This will allow patients from all socioeconomic strata in developing countries to benefit from the expertise in developed countries. It should be noted that BTF has been providing medical research grants to medical students and scholarships to underprivileged children every year.

Using wireless video consultation, medical students, interns, residents and other physicians at Manipal College of Medical Sciences will be able to discuss patients with challenging medical conditions with the experts in the field from the USA. Physicians from the USA also provide lectures to the medical students and physicians in Nepal. This will not only improve patient care but also provide Nepali physicians access to cutting-edge medicine available only in developed countries and few centers in developing countries. Dr. Robert Molokie, assistant professor of hematology oncology at University of Illinois at Chicago and attending physician at Jesse Brown VA medical center, Chicago; and Dr. Umid Shrestha, Associate Professor of Medicine at Manipal College of Medical Sciences are coordinating the project in USA and Nepal respectively.

Access to quality healthcare remains a critical problem in developing countries like Nepal. Telemedicine provides a solution that has the potential to dramatically expand access to quality medical care even in smaller hospitals far from major cities. The telemedicine project may be a model for addressing healthcare delivery shortcomings in other developing countries where access to medical diagnosis, treatment and training is limited.

Contact:
Dr. Binay Shah, Chairperson, Binaytara Foundation
[email protected]
Phone- 347-416-3325
www.binayfoundation.org

Binaytara Foundation (BTF) is an Illinois non-profit organization exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The mission of the foundation is to bring positive change in society by promoting health and education.

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