Govt. considering expansion of telemedicine services

Health Minister Abdulla Ameen has said that the government was considering expanding the medical services provided through audio and video.

Minister Ameen was responding to a question by parliamentarian today when he said so. 

The Minister noted that due to the situation with COVID-19, medical services were often provided to people in some islands through audio and video. The conveniences and importance from the services were evident from the situation with COVID-19, that restricts travel, said the Minister. 

“So, we will be prioritizing the introduction of modernized telemedicine services throughout this year.” Said the Minister. 

Minister Ameen said that it was previously thought that telemedicine services would require a lot of equipment and resources as well as connections. However, the COVID-19 situation had dismissed this notion, which in turn proved the conveniences of the services provided in this manner. 

Individuals requiring treatment from abroad had also utilized the services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Video consultations with foreign hospitals were often utilized by people in islands during the pandemic, said the Minister.