systems

Integrating telemedicine into the healthcare system is not as hard as you would imagine, especially given that the systems and other tools are readily available to do so.

But if we should begin using telemedicine as a major component of the healthcare system, inside and outside the public sector, how many Jamaicans would be able to easily access and benefit? This is a very important issue that we are technically able to resolve if the right environment is created.

I have always been fascinated by technology, so although I started my career as an accountant, I was pulled to the technology sphere where I managed to introduce industry-changing technology initiatives in banking, finance and health.

I have seen the positives that technology can have on individuals and entire sectors. This is a part of the reason I make it a point to attend the Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference each year to see the new and emerging technologies in health.

Advanced Integrated Systems adding business line, partnerships

But stock market listing still three years away

CEO and company founder Douglas Halsall is indicating that it will be another three years before Advanced Integrated Systems Limited, AIS, proceeds with plans to list on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, but is laying the groundwork for the expansion of the company in the interim.

Technology provider, Advanced Integrated Systems celebrated 30 years of business on February 23.

The company, which has grown from the mere dream of founder/CEO, Doug Halsall, to the leading transaction processing service provider in the Health Insurance and Financial Services Industries, recently celebrated the momentous occasion in Norbrook at the Halsall home.

Last week, I attended the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, which showcases the best of breed in health and supporting technology.

New, improved and emerging technology was on show and it was good to know that my vision for health technology is safely imbued in what is out there to support it.

There were hundreds of booths and I strategically made my way around those I thought could bring the most value to what we are doing, and plan to do, in Jamaica.

Two weeks ago, my company, Advanced Integrated Systems, participated in the 16th annual Caribbean Neurosciences Symposium in Montego Bay, St James.

I was happy to be a part of this event, given its history of facilitating inventiveness and new methods of operation. It also helped that it was led by the always-forward-thinking Dr Carl Bruce and cosigned by the University of the West Indies (UWI).

The state of emergency in the parish did not deter attendance as participants hailed from all over the world and gathered at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

I have been paying close attention to the reports of the effects of the flu season in the United States, understanding that although we may not get the figures locally as steadfastly as the US reports them, we generally face similar issues during this period.

The flu season normally begins in October and goes until about March, so we are now in the middle of it, and the United States Centre for Disease Control reported that it hasn't even peaked yet despite reports of at least 30 children dead and many adults affected.

The transformative role of technology is boundless as long as we are willing to open our minds to the possibilities.

Health technology can be applied to almost every aspect of healthcare to improve efficiency and access.

Traditionally, we think of going to a brick-and-mortar establishment when we want to visit a health professional either in a private practice or at a public facility.

But times are changing as access becomes more open with the development, implementation, and acceptance of health technology creating several options to remotely access healthcare.

Health sectors across developed and developing countries have long struggled with making improvements to infant and maternal health.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) for example, indicates that approximately 830 women die each day from preventable illnesses related to pregnancy and childbirth with 99 per cent of these being in developing countries.

Worldwide these two indices are very high. For many lower socio-economic groups the problem is access to health care services.