China launches telehealth for 100,000
- 6 December 2010
More than 100,000 patients across the Shandong Province in China will take part in the largest remote health monitoring initiative in the world.
The programme will see patients use interactive kiosks and remote health monitoring devices in villages and community hospitals across Shandong to record health information and have it instantly transmitted to their healthcare provider.
The project is a partnership between Canada-based Ideal Life, which provides mobile health and wellness systems, and China’s Shandong NovaTech Biological Pharmaceutical, a pharmaceutical manufacturer and medical products distribution network in China.
Jason Goldberg, president and founder of Ideal Life, said: "People can manage their own health, interact with their physician or health coach, and even allow family members to participate in their care on their own terms. The results will be healthier patients, fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and better use of scarce health care resources.
"This historic agreement proves we deliver on our promise to improve health on a global scale.”
The system provides two-way communication between the patient and the provider or health coach within the monitoring device.
The self-service kiosks allow multiple users to connect with providers at reduced connectivity charges allowing entire communities access to healthcare.
In addition, the system also automatically populates and integrates with the provider’s data collection systems and with electronic medical records, so that this vital data can be accessed at anytime, anywhere.
Liu Zhengping, chief executive officer NovaTech Biological Pharmaceutical, said: “For years we researched the remote health monitoring market, looking for a product that was affordable, easy to use, accurate and scalable for China’s vast population.
“Ideal Life has the first-class technology and the talent for this endeavor. Its complete end-to-end solution leads the world in remote health monitoring.”
It is expected that further expansion of the programme will occur to support expansion throughout China, including the opening of an independent monitoring centre that is scheduled for February 2011.
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