India eNews - Hyundai to 'prescribe' Tele-Medicine to Villagers

From correspondents in Tamilnadu, India, 01:16 PM IST

Perhaps for the first time in the history of Tamil Nadu, Hyundai Motor India (HMI) today, has initiated a ‘Satellite-linked Mobile Health Clinic with Tele-Medicine facility’, to provide medical assistance to the poor and needy villagers in and around its factory, thanks to the advanced communication and technological assistance by ISRO.

HMI has redefined the CSR initiatives in rural health sector on Wednesday by entering into an agreement with Sri Ramachandra University (SRU, Chennai) which has been engaged in Medical Education and Clinical Services, to operate a moving clinic to reach out the patients of 20 neighbouring villages. It will be an on-going activity. A Medical Team consisting of Medical Officer, Pharmacist, Nurse and Attendant will be available with medicines and necessary equipment in the vehicle.

HMI has availed the services of SRU who in turn engaged Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to have the Telemedicine connectivity via Antenna, fixed on the mobile van to enable interactive treatment involving both Doctor and Patients with the Main Centre at SRMC.

The estimated cost of this project is Rs. 10 lakhs per annum is being borne by HMI.

The MoU was signed by Mr S. Ganapathy, Trustee, Hyundai Motor India Foundation and Dr. S. Thanikachalam, Chairman and Director, SRU in the presence of Mr. H.W. Park, Executive Director, HMI and Mr. Lee, Senior General Manager- HR, HMI. Mr. Sethuraman, Trustee, HMIF, Dr. J. Dhamodharan, Medical Director, SRU, Mr. A. Loyola, GM–General Supporting, Mr. Mukundan, GM- SRU and HMI Officials were present on the occassion.

While exchanging the MoUs, Mr. Ganapathy underlined the significance of the provision of quality health services to the nearby villagers are the primary goal of HMI for the year 2008. He described the MoU with SRU aids in realization of the goal. Mr. Tanikachalam acknowledged the good gesture of HMI and stated that mobile medical services will be extended to other neighbor villages in due course.

Following are the villages covered by mobile Clinic:

IRUNGATTUKOTTAI

THANDALAM

KATRAMBAKKAM

KEEVALUR

PENNALUR

MEVALURKUPPAM

VALARPURAM

NEMALI

PUDUPPAIR

VENGADU

IRUMBEDU

KOLATHUR

NAVALUR

MAGANYAM

VELLARAI

GUNDU PERUMBEDU

ODDAN KARANAI

PILLAIPAKKAM

KADUVANJERI

PONDUR