The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a memorandum of understanding with four specialty hospitals to further expand the space agency’s satellite-based telemedicine network.

The network, launched in 2001 on an experimental basis, is aimed at linking remote/rural district hospitals with hospitals in major cities via Insat. ISRO provides the software, hardware and communication equipment, as well as satellite bandwidth. The hospitals provide the infrastructure, manpower and maintain the system.

Manipal Hospital, Bangalore; Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi; Madras Diabetic Research Foundation, Chennai and Dr Venkatrao Dawle Medical Foundation, Ambajogai (Maharashtra) have been added to the network, which now has 132 remote/rural/district hospitals/health centers connected to 33 hospitals located in major cities.