A group of responsible physicians, telecom and Information and Commun- ication (ICT) specialist and policy makers have come together and formed a common platform named Bangladesh Society for Telemedicine & eHealth (BSTeH) BSTeHs purpose is to promote ehealth, telemedicine and associated fields including research, development, practical applications and initial and supplementary training BSTeH

Dr. Asaduzzaman Khan

About 70% of total population live in rural areas About 75% of total qualified physician are practicing in urban areas. Bangladesh is a country of inequitable distribution of resources. Roads and highways are underdeveloped

Telecom networks are growing very rapidly in Bangladesh

Quick solution about any problems for treatment Treatment facilities would be made available through one stop service center Increase in number of patients Get suggestion/advice from different doctors New information on latest drugs/treatment options Improve decision making process involving multiple medical professionals Keep the records of the patients in the TMS for the use of future references or future needs.

Some challenges and risks mentioned by service providers – Lack of mental satisfaction of the patients Common people, especially the rural people are not aware of the system Lack of confidentiality of the information about the female patients Patients may not feel comfortable in telemedicine service through the video conference Ignorance or illiteracy may create some problem Cost effectiveness of the service might also be a problem Challenges and Risks

Lack of continuous supply of electricity might be challenging for the reliability of the service Internet facilities are not available in every place Local doctors and village doctors may resist the TMS system due to the fears about their professionalism. There is risk if proper maintenance or management services are not available.

Community acceptance is an essential pre- requisite and can be ensured through strategically designed campaigns and appropriate media publicity. Overall, the comments were that if the proper services by the TMS continue and people feel about its advantages, then there will be no risk.

TELEMEDICINE & eHEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS GrameenPhone Ltd, Bangladesh. AnovaTech Ltd, Bangladesh Medinova Medical Services Concept Hospital, Feni Chevron Clinical Laboratory Sitakund X-ray and Pathology Telemedicine Reference Company Limited Global Telemedicine Company

Conclusion BSTeH is working on propagating to make a prospective health sector in Bangladesh. The goal of this society is to facilitate the achievement of the health related targets of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) by 2015.