Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the motive of bringing the benefits of space technology in specific areas of national development like health care and education has been supporting SatCom-based telemedicine and tele-education programmes in the country.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prashantigram, has been a part of Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) telemedicine and tele-education programmes since 2nd July 2007.

Under Phase I of the Sri Sathya Sai Telehealth Project, the staff and Diplomate of National Board (DNB) trainees from the Department of Ophthalmology at SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, participate in a tele-education programme with Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai. This programme began in September 2007 and includes CME’s, grand rounds of various ophthalmic sub-specialties and weekly vitreo retinal classes.

Such classes/programmes have been held in conjunction with Shankar Netralaya, Chennai. Besides CMEs and grand rounds, DNB students of this hospital have been able to watch eminent speakers presenting talks on diverse topics under ophthalmology in Shankar Netralaya during 2008.

Plans are on to extend the tele-education programme to all other departments having DNB Training programme in the hospital in the near future.