NEWS — DECEMBER 15, 2003 - DECEMBER 21, 2003

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, TELEHEALTH, TELEMEDICINE & RADIOLOGY

Mobile Medicine In Africa... makes use of a six-wheeled vehicle to bring telemedicine to populations located in remote rural areas. Jointly developed by a Russian satellite company and Vitanet, the unit was showcased at the United Nations' World Summit on the Information Society in mid-December. Up to six paramedics will be on board to gather patient data, provide basic health care, and conduct screenings for infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. Data will also be transmitted to a hospital, using satellite equipment. The Kenyan government may be the first to buy a mobile unit, which is priced at $600,000. That cost is substantial but reasonable, especially when compared with the expense of constructing a hospital that cannot serve such a diverse geographic region.

National Satellite Initiative Launched In Canada... offers broadband Internet access in remote areas of the country. The project was supported by the Canadian space Agency, Infrastructure Canada, and Industry Canada. The goal is to support the cultural, economic and social needs of Canadian businesses and families. Among the beneficiaries are communities in the Far North and Mid North that can only be served with satellite communication systems. Government funding of $155 Canadian has covered implementation, but private sector and other public partnerships are also being established. To date, $12 billion Canadian has been spent on infrastructure development since 1993.

New PACS Enables Improved Management and Image Sharing... in two hospitals that are continents apart but operated by administrators who seek similar benefits from digital radiology. At the new Meade District Hospital in Kansas, $7.3 million is being spent on construction, diagnostic equipment, and laboratory improvements in a project that is scheduled for completion in February 2004. The $200,000 Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) will use digital imaging to replace film and allow specialists anywhere in the world to provide second opinions.

The Southern Alvsborg Hospital in Sweden is also going digital with the purchase of Sectra's PACS solution. With a radiology load of 100,000 exams conducted annually, the PACS installation in 2004 will enhance efficiency and also result in cost-savings over time as film and paper are replaced with digital data.

The National Institutes of Health has also made a PACS purchase, selecting the Kodak DirectView to upgrade an existing system. Advanced digital imaging technologies that allow Internet access to radiology images and reports was cited as one of the reasons for the change. Kodak is also working with Rochester General Hospital to showcase the Company's most advanced medical imaging solutions and expose customers to real-life clinical experiences with the equipment.

Proposed Nebraska Center Will Recruit and Train... mental health professionals, promote research, and provide telehealth advice throughout the state. The venture is being implemented by Creighton University and the University of Nebraska. There is a severe shortage of mental health professionals in 37 of the state's 93 counties. A psychiatric hospital will also be established in Omaha. Private funding is expected to cover the costs of building the Nebraska Center. An estimated $8.0 million in Medicaid funding may be available if mental health services are offered at regional centers that are operated by the state.

World Summit on the Information Society Emphasizes... the need to improve living standards. Developing infrastructure would helping marginalized countries benefit from digital access to information and potentially eliminate a major barrier to world trade. While the technology exists, people must embrace the power of information to initiate economic, political, and social changes. The Summit was held in Geneva, Switzerland, the week of December 8th and was attended by an estimated 10,000 delegates from 150 countries.