Remote ITBP posts along China border to get tele-medicine link

Border guarding force ITBP is working on an ambitious plan to initiate tele-medicine facilities for its troops deployed in high-altitude and snow- clad posts along the Sino-Indian frontier which often remain cut from the mainland due to avalanches and arduous terrain.
The project, which will be executed with help from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and satellite imagery, is being seen as a revolutionary step as there have been a number of tragic instances in the past when ITBP troops had to either cremate their dead colleague in the mountains or a body had to be kept in the post for weeks together as no helicopter or human aid could reach them for help.

"Tele-medicine facility for remote border posts is in its final stages," Indo-Tibetan Border Police force chief Krishna Chaudhary wrote in a recent communication to his jawans and officers on the occasion of the paramilitarys' 54th Raising Day.
The Director Deneral recently also recounted an incident when a junior-rank officer undertaking patrol in the higher reaches of Arunachal Pradesh border died and his body could only be brought down after 9 days of hectic efforts which were repeatedly marred by inclement weather.
"A number of efforts were made to retrieve the body by BSF and IAF choppers. Finally, we sought help from the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister and a very brave Pawan Hans pilot undertook a sortie and brought the body down after nine days," Chaudhary, who has himself visited a number of such posts and spent nights there, said.

Officials said the new facility will ensure that an ill or injured trooper at these posts, which are in some locations beyond a height of 18,000 feet and face bone chilling cold of -45 degrees, could be provided quick medical advice through a satellite link in case evacuation through air or land is not possible.
They said some satellite video aperture terminals will soon be installed in remote border posts of the force in Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh along the China border and these will have a dedicated link with ITBP doctors at their base hospital in Delhi or Chandigarh on a 24X7 basis.