Conference on computer applications in medical science

Identifying the possibilities for use of IT in medical and health-care sector, a national conference on 'Computer Applications and IT In Medical Science' got under way at Gandhi Medical College (GMC) on Sunday.

Sajjan Singh Verma, local self government minister while inaugurating the conference, emphasized the need to use IT in India. "We can save thousands of lives every year by proper medical facilities in our villages,'' he said.

The minister stressed on involvement of IT in medicine for providing easy and appropriate solutions to medial problems faced in remote parts of the state. He said medical services were inadequate in villages and most deaths were being reported from there. He added that linking medicine in cities and abroad through computers would initiate a new revolution in health programs in the country. 

At the conference, a German expert displayed technology used for creating three-dimensional computer images for treatment of dental ailments. He said that computerized images could help perform even the most complicated of surgeries. 

Dr T Lim from Singapore informed that the use of computer technology in radiology had helped do away with bringing X-ray images on films. The same technology could now be applied on ultra-sound sonography, CT scan, MRI scan and other things.

This could facilitate not only cost cutting but also help detailed diagnosis and easy access and distribution of information. An expert from the Middlesex Hospital, London, gave a detailed account of the advances made in examination and treatment of disease with the help of advanced computer technology. He reminded that the application of technology could help create paperless hospitals.

Professor WR Leese from the London Medical Education Department said it was a great achievement for India to initiate IT in medical sciences. 

He said Indians would now be in a position to ensure a new health policy across the country after connecting all medical colleges, hospitals and district headquarters through the Internet. He is of the view that e-medicine should be taken up as a service rather than a business. This way humanity could be served in a better manner.

Professor SK Guha, Bio-medic engineer (AIIMS and IIT) shed light on computerised robotic surgery. Dr PB Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi Technology University, said IT could not be kept away from medicines today. He said radiology has also undergone a revolutionary change with the coming of computers. He said today computers were being utilized in medical diagnosis, observation and also to provide medical solutions all over the world. "This new revolution has brought about good new for those patients who are suffering due to lack of medical development in their respective countries," he added.

Dr AP Verma, Radiologist, Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal, expressed the opinion that possibilities for networking all primary health centres in villages with the district hospitals, which could be further linked with the nearest divisional Medial colleges. This linkage could be connected at state-levels and further at national and international level. He said this way a web of information could be developed so that expert medical facilities and solutions could reach the remotest of villages in the country.