Intel collaborates with Sri Lanka Medical Association to accelerate ICT adoption in healthcare

Tuesday, 13 March 2012 01:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

With a history of supporting initiatives aimed at developing Sri Lanka through technology, Intel today joined hands with the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) as its technology collaborator in its islandwide initiative “A Healthy Society for a Healthy Tomorrow”.

This initiative is aimed at developing the Sri Lanka healthcare sector through the use of technology.

Speaking on Intel’s collaboration with the SLMA, Indika De Zoysa, Country Business Manager, Intel EM Ltd. – Sri Lanka Liaison Office said: “We are honored to collaborate with the SLMA – the oldest national medical association in Asia. We believe in the potential of technology and its benefits in the healthcare sector around the world. Through this collaboration, we intend to create awareness about and introduce the latest technologies for the healthcare industry in Sri Lanka.”

The Sri Lankan Government plans to empower the health sector through capacity building and leadership in information and communication technology. More specifically, the Government aims to provide education, training, and assessment to 100,000 members of the work force using a royalty-free open source based technology platform developed by Intel.

This also includes training and certifying the 100,000 members of the workforce on information and communication technology by 2015 and also implementing a basic electronic health record for children in 5,000 schools that would enable the health sector planners to launch prioritised health programs by 2015.

Acknowledging the significance of technology, Prof. Vajira H.W. Dissanayake, President of the SLMA, said, “The Sri Lankan healthcare system has only recently begun reaping the benefits of technology, taken for granted in several countries for years. We are glad to collaborate with Intel and value their expertise in deploying newer and more relevant technologies in healthcare. Together, we would be geared to revolutionise healthcare in Sri Lanka.”