A system to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria
in undeveloped countries
with help of infocommunication technologies

Telemedicine networks for various applications that use advanced infocommunication technologies combined with leading medical experts experience, belongs to the most competitive Russian developments.

The SCAESNet (Satellite Communication AntiEpidemic Screening Network) project on the system to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in undeveloped countries is one of brilliant example in this sort of development.

Objective of the SCAESNet project is considerable rise efficiency of fight with HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases. Proposed project based on telemedicine technologies and satellite communication is designated to accomplish a medical care breakthrough in the countries and allows to reveal diseased persons at prime stages of the diseases when the diseases are not so contagious, and their treatment is more effective and cheaper.

The SCAESNet project was developed by Russian JSC «VITANET» and «TANA» group in collaboration with Russian Space Communication Corporation (RSCC), with participation of: International Academy of Sciences (Russian section), Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Research Institute of phthisiopulmonology, Institute of medical parasitology and tropical medicine and Institute of epidemiology, and was supported by Ministry of Russia on Communication and Informatization, Ministry of Russia on Industry, Sciences and Technology. The development of the SCAESNet project was also supported by the direct request of ITU to Minister of Russia on Communication and Informatization.

The SCAESNet project and its key element – Mobile Telemedicine Unit (MTU), were successfully demonstrated within framework of the World Summit of Information Society (WSIS), December 10-12, 2003, Geneva, Switzerland. This demonstration followed to the G-8 decision on implementation of infocommunication technologies for fight with infective socially significant diseases in undeveloped countries. This G-8 decision was initiated in Evian Summit, Switzerland in June 2003 by Russian and Italy Presidents.

Russian exposition in frame of WSIS was dedicated to SCAECNet. It was opened by Minister L. Reyman, the Chief of Russian delegation in WSIS. The WSIS participants from more than 120 countries and international organizations visited Russian exposition.

At the same time with WSIS, WHO/RBM (RBM – Roll Back Malaria – acting WHO malaria program) consultation in malaria epidemics, forecasting, prevention, early detection and control took place in Leysin, Switzerland 8-10.12.2003. Among major issues it was stated that early detection system should be able to detect, verify and notify malaria epidemic within 2 weeks of its appearance. The ideal tool for the above mentioned system would be Mobile Telemedicine Unit equipped for detection, verifying and notifying malaria epidemic in any territories that do not covered permanent medical service. The mentioned above conditions are present in majority territories of African countries. That means that the malaria component is fully fit in the latest guidelines of the WHO/RBM and especially for RBM in Africa.

Intentions declared by some African (Kenya, Mali, Sudan) countries authorities to realize in their countries the SCAESNet project confirm insurance in brilliant perspectives of the SCAESNet project.