OREANDA-NEWS. On 20 May 2009 was announced, that the Ministry of Health and Social Development held a seminar on telemedicine development in the republic. Heads and experts of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Vice Rector of Petrozavodsk State University for Informatization Natalia Ruzanova, experts of the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Finland, V.Baranov Republican hospital, Perinatal Center, Children's Republican Hospital participated in the seminar.

Deputy Minister Olga Gurkova and executive director of the National center of health of North Carelia Vesa Korpelainen have opened the seminar. Both have pointed out the leading role of telemedicine in development of public health services of the adjacent countries. The first teleproject implemented in Russia in the sphere of public health services was carried out in the period from 1978 to 1984. The analysis of results has shown, that use of telemedicine has increased quality of diagnostics from 63 to 95 percent. In Finland information technologies in medicine have also passed a long way of development.

Finnish experts have told about purposes and tasks of telemedicine in the system of public health services, technical opportunities, practice of using telemedicine in public health services in Finland. Experts of the Ministry of Health and Social Development have told about potential of the republic for telemedicine development. This, as well as availability of highly experienced health manpower, including strong faculty of departments of Petrozavodsk State University, and availability of experts in the field of information computer technologies, advanced technological base of treatment-and-prophylactic establishments, presence of branches of the Republican hospital in regions of the republic, and experience in international cooperation.

After summarizing the seminar the parties have also discussed prospects of further cooperation in this area. It was decided to continue cooperation related to telemedicine development in the Republic of Karelia, to organize a training seminar for medical specialists in territory of Finland, to hold a round table to discuss general problems and establish relations for professional dialogue by means of telecommunication. As pilot establishments there have been selected the V.Baranov Republican hospital, Children's Republican Hospital and Republican Perinatal Center.