Satellite applications for telehealth in the developing world

In April 2005, a panel discussion was held at the Mede-Tel International Trade Event and Conference for eHealth, Telemedicine and Health ICT in Luxembourg. The panel addressed the issue of satellite applications for telehealth in the developing world. There are some 150 communications satellites that could be used for telehealth. However the cost is $7.50 per minute (Inmarsat) for a transmission rate of 64 kbit/s, a relatively low bandwidth. What is the role of satellite communications in telehealth especially in areas where the total annual expenditure for health may be under $100 per capita? What requirements in the developing world are best addressed by satellite technology and is the return in health benefits justified? What are the international principles that might inform decisions about appropriate use of satellite time?

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