Universal Service Fund (USF) awarded a contract worth Rs. 59 Million to setup telemedicine networks around Rawalpindi, Karachi and Multan, using the already deployed Broadband Networks in the region.
The contract between Oratier Technologies and USF was signed by CEO-USF, Parvez Iftikhar and Director (Projects) Oratier, Zia ul Islam on Wednesday in the presence of Federal Secretary IT, Mr. Saeed Ahmad Khan at the Ministry of IT.
Remote sites in the pilot project include Thatta, Dadu, Badin, Nowshehro Feroz, Chakwal, Talagang, Murree, Domail, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran and Muzaffargarh. Each of these remote sites will provide facilities of digital stethoscope, digital derma-scope, portable ultrasound, digital ECG and customized telemedicine software to the patients at their hometowns including video consultations with the specialists sitting in the three main hospitals.
As for the rest of the USF programmes, in broadband program, 256 previously unserved towns now have more than 334,000 USF-funded broadband connections. Subsidy winning service-providers are obliged to provide free broadband internet to all higher-secondary schools, libraries and colleges in their areas.
So far 943 such educational institutions have been covered. In Optic Fiber Connectivity Program, 3,630 Kms of Optic Fiber Cables have been laid through subsidy contracts which will connect 102 unserved Tehsils with 6,523 kms of cables, mainly in Balochistan. To take broadband internet to the villages, USF has launched another Program. A pilot project of that program is also under implementation aiming to bring the most modern e-Services through broadband, down to the village level.
News Details: ProPakistani
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