Discuss the benefits of ISRO’s Telemedicine and Tele-education programmes.

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Discuss the benefits of ISRO’s Telemedicine and Tele-education programmes.
Approach:
  • Introduce with discussing the Telemedicine programme of ISRO.
  • Point out benefits of Telemedicine programme.
  • Discuss the Tele-education programme of ISRO.
  • Point out benefits of Tele-education programme.
  • Conclude appropriately.
Model Answer :
Since coming into being, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has upheld its mission of bringing space to the service of the common man, and to the service of the Nation. Two of the prime example include facilitation of Telemedicine and Tele-education.
Telemedicine:
Telemedicine – health services provided using telecommunications technology – is one of the unique applications of space technology. ISRO’s Telemedicine programme was started in 2001 to connect remote hospitals and medical colleges through the satellites with the major specialty hospitals in cities. The programme has now connected more than 300 rural hospitals with 60 specialty hospitals in cities.
The major benefits of Telemedicine programme are as follows:
  • It results in significant cost savings for both citizens and government.
  • The programme improves connectivity in remote and rural areas with major cities.
  • The timely advice received through Telemedicine helps in saving lives.
  • The programme provides the opportunity for Continuing Medical Education (CME) for doctors and medical students. On the other hand, rural healthcare providers also get training.
  • This programme is crucial in the disaster management operations as physical connectivity is hampered at the time of disasters.
Tele-education:
ISRO’s Tele-education programme aims at providing satellite-based distance education to improve the quality of education and bridge the rural-urban divide. ISRO launched India’s first thematic satellite “EDUSAT” to provide a wide range of interactive educational delivery modes like TV programmes, video conferencing, web-based instructions, etc., which are now catered by satellites like INSAT-3C, INSAT-4CR and GSAT-12. It benefits around 1.5 crore students per year.
The major benefits of Tele-education programme are as follows:
  • It effectively supplements curriculum-based teaching.
  • Teachers training is facilitated.
  • It improves access to quality resources.
  • The rural-urban gap in the area of education is filled by taking education to every nook and corner of the country.
  • Users with special requirements such as visually challenged or mentally challenged benefit by accessing networks specially designed for their requirements.
There is no doubt that these initiatives have contributed to the development of health and education services. ISRO has set up specialised centres to monitor smooth implantation of telemedicine and tele-education programmes. The interconnections of networks are being upgraded continuously to facilitate state of the art facilities which will be instrumental in the nation building.

Subjects : Science and Technology