The Ministry of Defense provides telemedicine equipment to soldiers stationed in Afghanistan

The Spanish military deployed in Ludina and Darra-i-Bum, in western Afghanistan, They already have telemedicine equipment that will allow medical consultations to be carried out via satellite videoconference with specialists from the Central Defense Hospital. “Gomez Ulla” of Madrid and the Spanish field clinical centers deployed in Afghanistan: the role 1 of Qala-i-Naw and the Role 2 of Herat.

The advanced bases 'Bernardo de Gálvez' and 'Hernán Cortés', located in the Afghan towns of Ludina and Darra-i-Bum respectively, have incorporated telemedicine equipment that has been installed in each of the nursing stations.

These teams, that will allow specialized medical care to the Spanish military deployed there, they add to the immediate attention capabilities provided by stabilization cells (teams consisting of a medical officer, a nursing officer and a paramedic), characterized by their mobility.

With the telemedicine system, The new equipment will allow medical consultations, via satellite videoconference, with specialists from the Gómez Ulla Central Defense Hospital in Madrid, and with the Spanish field hospitals deployed in Afghanistan: the 'Role 1 of Qala-i-Naw and the ‘Role 2’ of Herat.

This way, The exchange of clinical data with specialist doctors will be facilitated, real-time sending of medical telemetry parameters (pulse oximetry, blood pressure and body temperature) as well as performing 'in situ' ultrasounds. The system is complemented with elements that allow image diagnosis by dermatology specialists., otorhinolaryngology or ophthalmology from the central defense hospital.

The deployment and use of telemedicine means, besides, psychological support for both the patient and the professional who cares for them, as they both felt supported by the specialist medical officers who assist the Spanish soldiers from the reference centers, diagnosing or corroborating the diagnosis according to the data sent.

The installed telemedicine equipment has:

• Video conferencing camera and microphone.
• Monitor TFT de 19”.
• Dermatoscope Composite Cold Light Source, otoscope and ophthalmoscope.
• Scanning camera with magnification 50 by 100.
• Notebook computer.
• Vital signs monitor with pulse oximetry capability, blood pressure and body temperature.
• Electrocardiograph.
• Ultrasound.
• Satellite communication module 'Hughes 9210'.

The installation of this equipment in the advanced bases has been carried out by a team of technicians belonging to the Health Logistics Support Unit (WALLS) displaced for this purpose.