New Delhi: In a major boost to healthcare access for soldiers in remote and high-altitude regions, the Indian armed forces and ISRO have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand satellite-based telemedicine facilities.
The collaboration aims to ensure that troops deployed in forward areas, often cut off by harsh terrain or winter conditions, can consult specialists in real time.
The MoU was signed by Air Marshal Shankar Subramanian on behalf of the armed forces and Nilesh M. Desai for ISRO.
The MoU covers both maintenance of existing telemedicine nodes and the addition of new ones. ISRO will establish 53 new nodes in the first phase, supplementing the current 20 across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Specialised nodes are already operational on the Siachen Glacier, enabling frontline soldiers to transmit medical data such as ECGs and X-rays to doctors at super-specialty hospitals.
The system uses VSAT technology, video-conferencing, and diagnostic software to connect remote posts with medical experts. Each node also manages electronic patient records, synchronising them with live consultations.
Currently, around 190 telemedicine nodes serve both defence and civilian needs across India. The expansion promises to significantly strengthen healthcare delivery for personnel in inaccessible border regions.