Andrew Yee[_1_]
December 6th 07, 04:35 AM
ESA News
http://www.esa.int
30 November 2007
Telemedicine: Health alert via satellite
Heraklion, Crete: An earthquake has just shaken the Greek island. Damage is
widespread and all conventional, terrestrial communications have been
destroyed. The rescue operations have only one means at their disposal that
has not been affected by the quake -- a satellite which, from its altitude
of 36 000 kilometres, can immediately link the locations involved in the
catastrophe with the appropriate authorities.
Thankfully, this was only a two-day training exercise conducted in the frame
of the SAFE project (satellite for health early warning and for
epidemiology), part of the ESA approach to understanding users' needs and
developing tools adapted to those needs. With this knowledge, ESA wishes to
support a user driven strategy allowing for a joint effort in Europe and an
improved efficiency for interventions in the event of natural disasters and
for post-crisis management.
Crete is liable to be affected by earthquakes, which is why it was chosen
for the demonstration of a system that can not only be used for emergency
response coordination but also for understanding the health situation and
monitoring for epidemics that are the frequent consequences of natural
disasters.
In several sites on Crete, such as a power plant, a beach, and a hotel, the
response of the rescue teams was tested as they were communicating via a
satellite network. A dialogue was set up with voice and video between the
teams on site and a centre for control and coordination in downtown
Heraklion, which allowed a quick assessment of the means needed to set up
and facilitate the process of intervention.
On the second day after the earthquake and its emergency management by local
authorities, a scenario involving an epidemiological threat was staged.
Analysis of victims sheltered in a camp quickly made it obvious that there
was a threat of gastroenteritis.
Thanks to the satellite, specialised doctors -- although far away, either in
Heraklion or even in Athens -- could immediately help the teams on site. The
first help provided was to understand the nature of the epidemic and treat
the patients when the first symptoms were exhibited. Secondly, assistance
was provided to determine the origin of the epidemic and take the necessary
measures to stop the problem from spreading.
The demonstration showed that space can contribute to faster and more
efficient rescue and assistance in the field, taking advantage of the
expertise of specialists from distant locations and offering the possibility
of raising alerts in the event of epidemiological risks.
Co-funded by ESA and coordinated by MEDES (Institut de Medecine et de
Physiologie Spatiales), in partnership notably with the Greek Foundation for
Research and Technology (FORTH), the SAFE pilot project is a good
illustration of the added value of satellites -- with the service provided
by space answering the needs on the ground.
[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM7DK73R8F_index_1.html ]
http://www.esa.int
30 November 2007
Telemedicine: Health alert via satellite
Heraklion, Crete: An earthquake has just shaken the Greek island. Damage is
widespread and all conventional, terrestrial communications have been
destroyed. The rescue operations have only one means at their disposal that
has not been affected by the quake -- a satellite which, from its altitude
of 36 000 kilometres, can immediately link the locations involved in the
catastrophe with the appropriate authorities.
Thankfully, this was only a two-day training exercise conducted in the frame
of the SAFE project (satellite for health early warning and for
epidemiology), part of the ESA approach to understanding users' needs and
developing tools adapted to those needs. With this knowledge, ESA wishes to
support a user driven strategy allowing for a joint effort in Europe and an
improved efficiency for interventions in the event of natural disasters and
for post-crisis management.
Crete is liable to be affected by earthquakes, which is why it was chosen
for the demonstration of a system that can not only be used for emergency
response coordination but also for understanding the health situation and
monitoring for epidemics that are the frequent consequences of natural
disasters.
In several sites on Crete, such as a power plant, a beach, and a hotel, the
response of the rescue teams was tested as they were communicating via a
satellite network. A dialogue was set up with voice and video between the
teams on site and a centre for control and coordination in downtown
Heraklion, which allowed a quick assessment of the means needed to set up
and facilitate the process of intervention.
On the second day after the earthquake and its emergency management by local
authorities, a scenario involving an epidemiological threat was staged.
Analysis of victims sheltered in a camp quickly made it obvious that there
was a threat of gastroenteritis.
Thanks to the satellite, specialised doctors -- although far away, either in
Heraklion or even in Athens -- could immediately help the teams on site. The
first help provided was to understand the nature of the epidemic and treat
the patients when the first symptoms were exhibited. Secondly, assistance
was provided to determine the origin of the epidemic and take the necessary
measures to stop the problem from spreading.
The demonstration showed that space can contribute to faster and more
efficient rescue and assistance in the field, taking advantage of the
expertise of specialists from distant locations and offering the possibility
of raising alerts in the event of epidemiological risks.
Co-funded by ESA and coordinated by MEDES (Institut de Medecine et de
Physiologie Spatiales), in partnership notably with the Greek Foundation for
Research and Technology (FORTH), the SAFE pilot project is a good
illustration of the added value of satellites -- with the service provided
by space answering the needs on the ground.
[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM7DK73R8F_index_1.html ]