“Telemedicine & Digital Sexual-Reproductive Healthcare in Refugee-camp.

An Innovative cost effective approach for Developing Countries.”

BACKGROUND:

Lack of access to quality Sexual-Reproductive healthcare had caused more than 2000 deaths in
current Rohingya Refugee camp in Bangladesh since August 2017. 80% deaths were due to STDs,
HIV, complicated pregnancy & unsafe delivery.
The Refugee Women are more vulnerable to poor health outcomes due to lack of access to local
healthcare. More than 60% of the Rohingya refugee are women & under age 25. Two crucial barriers
have been identified. 1) Social & Religious Barrier, 2) Limited Skilled Health workers.
OBJECTIVE:
General Objective: To improve the ‘Refugee Health Service Delivery’
Specific Objective: 1) Acceptable Digital Tele-Medicine Service 2) 100% access & <5% mortality.
Target Group: Child, Adolescent & Pregnant women; Target Area: Sexual Reproductive Health
Target Service: 24/7 access to Doctors, Specialist, Emergency & Referral (by Digital Healthcare).
ACTIVITIES: (From Aug 2017 to Sept 2019)
Using the existing local coverage of 2G, 3G & Wi-Fi we introduced ‘Refugee Telemedicine’
(videoconference, consultation & training sessions) & ‘m-Health’ (using Smart Phone apps).
‘24/7 Video On-Call Healthcare’ using regular apps (Messenger, Skype & Whatsapp) was a crucial
step to gain huge popularity within short period.
The Partnership between government & private telecommunication companies was established.
Electricity supply, PC, Laptops, multimedia system with IT trained person were appointed.
The fund for logistics was arranged from Local fund, Local politicians, Donations & Volunteers.
RESULTS: (Up to Sept 2019)
The overall refugee mortality have reduced from 38% to 4% by digital ‘24/7 Emergency Service’.
There is a 70% increase in women participation (Coverage from 26% to 95%) by
‘Videoconference & Consultation’. A 45% increase in Antenatal-Visit have also been achieved.
More than 150 local refugee health workers have been trained so far by ‘Distance Learning’.
70% cost reduction have been possible by digital treatment & referral. The UNHCR & Local
NGOs also adopted this digital policy since March 2018 & achieved similar rate of success.
CONCLUSION:
Digital Telemedicine health service have demonstrated as a potential approach for refugees by
improved access, quality & efficiency. This digital system is the most effective way to remove social
& religious barrier. To improve access to vulnerable refugees, developing countries should adopt
this cost effective Telemedicine service.