Telemedicine services for diabetics launched

Diabetic patients of Bangladesh will now be able to get their telemedicine services through their mobile phones with bluetooth or wireless technology.
Telemedicine Reference Centre Ltd (TRCL) in collaboration with Entra Health Systems of the US launched a mobile health (mHealth) service for diabetic patients under the brand name 'Amcare'.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad formally launched the service at a city hotel yesterday.
Introducing the telemedicine service, TRCL Managing Director Dr Sikder M Zakir explained that mHealth is an intensive diabetes home management programme done with the help of everyone's trusted and convenient tool -- the mobile phone.
The first of its kind in Asia, mHealth includes routine home test of blood glucose level with a bluetooth glucometer connected to a mobile phone.
After the use of glucometer, the result of blood glucose test will be transferred via mobile phone to the Amcare Diabetes Call Centre.
The features include several other steps such as SMS alert if blood glucose level is abnormal. Depending on the status of the blood test, the call centre representatives will contact the particular patients.
There are also over-the-phone doctor's consultation services if needed and for further intervention, appointments will be made with doctors.
Another important feature is Home Care Service which includes blood sample collection and delivery of diabetes supplies to the patient's home.
The service with bluetooth, manufactured by Entra, will be provided for a monthly membership fee of Tk 700. For bluetooth added with home care service, the fee is Tk 1,250.
National Prof Dr MR Khan, also chairman of TRCL, Prof AK Azad Khan, president of Bangladesh Diabetic Association, Richard C Strobridge, CEO of Entra Health Systems, and Jon Danilowicz, acting deputy chief of mission, US embassy, also spoke.