The telemedicine service of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and research center (AIMS) is the first Telemedicine Centre in Kerala which was started in September 2002. This center was set up with the help of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which selected AIMS for its pilot Telemedicine project in the state of Kerala. This is to provide the best medical care to the remote corners of
India, to the people who cannot afford the treatment due to their inability to travel, cost, unawareness etc. The Amrita Mobile Telemedicine Unit (AMTU) is the first mobile telemedicine unit in the state of Kerala. The centrally air-conditioned AMTU has state of the art satellite-based videoconferencing capability and is equipped with a wide range of equipment permitting a large range of functions including color echocardiography, cardiac treadmill, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, retinal camera, ultrasonography, X-ray radiography, electrocardiography, biochemical testing with a semi auto analyzer, light microscopy and a digital photography. The output from these devices can all be transmitted to a specialty hospital (typically AIMS) for expert opinion. The AMTU is equipped with a state of the art video conferencing unit connected to an extended C band 1.8m Antenna and control unit for uninterrupted telemedicine linkup in all weather conditions. It has the capability to connect to any health care center that has a telemedicine facility. telemedicine suite for electronically storing and transmitting patient data including medical images. The AMTU allows a wide range of healthcare services to be delivered with minimal expertise and infrastructure at the peripheral end. It also ensures increased utilization of medical facilities, manpower and technology while minimizing maintenance costs since the need for fixed infrastructure and equipment can be avoided. From the patients perspective they benefit from easier access to advanced healthcare and specialty consultation, saving time and travel expenses. AMTU fulfilled its promises when it was successfully assisted in delivering health care at the Amrita medical center in Pampa at Sabarimala. Approximately 40 teleconsultations were carried out from the mountain top to AIMS using mobile telemedicine facility.
