The Hindu Business Line : Space to set up 500 remote telemedicine facilities

Space Hospital will look to set up 500 remote telemedicine facilities and satellite centres in the next one year, according to Mr Sanjay Bharadwaj, President and Chief Executive Officer, Space.

The company has 60 telemedicine facilities around India in conjunction with 12 associate hospitals.

In order to fund the expansion, the company would require to invest Rs 5 crore by March, and Rs 20 crore over the next two years, he said.

Fund options

A private investor would provide the initial investment of Rs 5 crore while the company is looking at several other options such as partnering with a major healthcare provider or a telemedicine service provider for the long-term investment.

Currently, the facilities work as follows: Space provides the technology and maintenance, while the local doctor makes the investment in the hardware, and the associate hospitals provide the consultancy.

The company recently set up a telemedicine centre in Muthuveerakandyanpatti, a village near the Tiruchi-Thanjavur road, Tamil Nadu, under the PURA (providing urban facilities to rural areas) plan.

Space's telemedicine facility provides technology that allows basic check ups such as ECG and blood pressure as well as an audio-video feed that connects the facility to the nearby associate hospital, allowing specialists to provide consultancy for patients in remote areas.

Mr Bharadwaj said that so far 4,500 cases have been treated through the service. The company is about to embark on a rural marketing campaign to spread awareness about the facilities and hopes to improve this number.

Currently, the hospitals charge between Rs 150 and Rs 300 for a consultation, which is shared equally by the local doctor, Space and the associate hospital. Space expects to earn revenues of Rs 8 crore by the end of the year. It has targeted revenues of Rs 35 crore for the following year, and Rs 100 crore for the year after next, according to Mr Bharadwaj.

More Stories on : Medical Institutions & Hospitals | Health | Tamil Nadu

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page