Virtual education programs initiated and first medical teleconsultations conducted in Cape Verde

Successful installation of telemedicine and e-health equipment to first 6 hospitals in Cape Verde was accompanied by hands-on training seminars for end users what enabled initiation of virtual education programs that are ongoing since February 2013. Virtual lectures are being delivered by international as well as national experts to hospitals where network already established. Deployment and installation of equipment to remaining 4 health institutions planned for June-July 2013 will enable widespread of educational programs provided by the distance to all institutions included in telemedicine network of Cape Verde.

In April 2013, further telemedicine and e-health training was provided in Albania and Kosovo** for selected leadership personnel representing each of the 10 institutions involved in the telemedicine network of Cape Verde. The implementation of clinical telemedicine actually began upon the returning home of the participants in the Leadership Training Program and we are glad to announce that first medical teleconsultations in Cape Verde were conducted already in May 2013 connecting three hospitals and islands of Cape Verde. Two disciplines (dermatology and trauma/orthopedics) are leading the process so far, where both store-and-forward and real-time telemedicine approaches were used. Additional clinics are anticipated to follow as well as usage of the network for emergency teleconsultations when the program will mature.

The integrated Telemedicine and e-Health Program falls under Development Cooperation Program agreed between Republic of Cape Verde and Republic of Slovenia that provided financial resources for its implementation. Program is being implemented since 2012 through ITF Enhancing Human Security by International Virtual e-Hospital Foundation and close cooperation with the Ministry of Health Cape Verde.