Measat preparing to introduce telehealth services in Sarawak

KUCHING: Measat is preparing to introduce telehealth services in Sarawak, using satellite connectivity to support healthcare access in remote communities.

Chief commercial officer Ganendra Selvaraj said the proposed service would build on the satellite operator’s experience in Sabah and use connectivity infrastructure to reach areas where conventional telecommunications networks may not be viable.

“One example is telehealth, which Measat is preparing to roll out in Sarawak, allowing the same connectivity infrastructure to support access to healthcare services in remote communities,” he told Sarawak Tribune.

Ganendra said Measat could also explore how satellite connectivity might support existing rural healthcare services.

He said there was also potential for satellite connectivity to support drone delivery of medicines where operationally suitable.

“In healthcare, we are preparing to introduce telehealth services in Sarawak, building on our experience in Sabah.

“We can also explore how satellite connectivity could support drone-enabled medical delivery and existing rural healthcare services.”

Ganendra said Sarawak’s terrain presented challenges for telecommunications infrastructure, particularly in rural and interior areas reached through forests, rivers or highlands.

He said satellite technology had advanced, with smaller terminals that required relatively little power and were becoming more cost-effective.

“Many rural and interior communities can only be reached through dense forest, rivers or highlands, where paved roads, electricity and other utilities are often scarce.

“At the same time, satellite connectivity has advanced significantly. Today, solutions are increasingly cost-effective, use much smaller form-factor terminals and require relatively little power.”

Ganendra said Measat’s CONNECTme broadband service was intended to provide communities with ongoing internet access where terrestrial infrastructure might not be viable.

He also said satellite connectivity should complement existing fibre and mobile networks by extending coverage, connecting remote mobile towers to the core network and providing an alternative link when terrestrial infrastructure was disrupted.

“Satellite is not a replacement for fibre or mobile. It complements them

“The right approach for Sarawak is to use the right technology in the right place, and increasingly, to use them together.”