Advancing Mobile 3D Telemedicine in Ghana: A Collaboration between ECL, Microsoft, and Korle-Bu

Advancing Mobile 3D Telemedicine in Ghana: A Collaboration between ECL, Microsoft, and Korle-Bu



Enterprise Computing Ltd. (ECL), in collaboration with Microsoft and Korle-Bu, is working to enhance medical research and specialized healthcare services in underserved regions of Ghana. By introducing 3D Mobile Telemedicine (3DTM) technology, Ghana becomes the first country in West Africa to benefit from this initiative. This innovative approach aims to address the challenges faced by patients in rural areas who struggle to access post-operative care and follow-up appointments at Korle-Bu hospital due to long travel distances.

In a groundbreaking move, a surgeon at the Canniesburn Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit in Scotland proposed the use of Microsoft’s holoportation technology to facilitate live 3D consultations with remote doctors, eliminating the need for patients to physically travel to receive care. The 3DTM mobile unit, housed in a van and operated by a team of technicians and engineers, will bring advanced medical capabilities to underserved regions, allowing for improved healthcare services, including pre-operative and post-operative consultations that were previously challenging to access.

Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project commenced in 2020 with plans to install the first system at Korle-Bu University Hospital. However, initial testing was conducted in Glasgow before the team successfully installed the technology at Korle-Bu in November 2023, marking the first international collaboration in preoperative consultation and surgery. With Microsoft Research teaming up with ECL to provide technical support and expand the use of 3DTM technology in various medical fields beyond Plastic Surgery, the initiative strives to enhance healthcare innovation.

During a visit to ECL’s office in Tema, the Chief Technology Officer emphasized the company’s commitment to ensuring healthcare accessibility regardless of location. Microsoft Research praised ECL’s dedication to the project, expressing confidence in ECL’s ability to enhance 3DTM use cases and develop feature updates to improve the system’s efficiency and utilization. Additionally, discussions were held regarding the incorporation of ECL’s AI-based visual impairment screening application to enhance medical services for underprivileged communities by enabling early detection of eye conditions in diabetic patients.

Enterprise Computing Ltd. is a professional services company offering consulting and customized technology solutions to businesses, with a strong focus on delivering fanatical 24-hour, 7-day-a-week support. ECL’s partnership with Microsoft and Korle-Bu underscores its commitment to investing in solutions that address healthcare challenges in Africa, further positioning the company as a key player in advancing medical innovation and access to specialized care in underserved regions.

Article Source
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/ECL-Microsoft-and-Korle-Bu-advance-mobile-3D-Telemedicine-in-Ghana-1933275