Improving primary health care in rural communities in the Commonwealth is a goal arising from discussions of groups participating in the Commonwealth Civil Society Forum at the Cascadia Hotel in St. Ann’s.
President of the Commonwealth Medical Association Dr. Sundaram Arulrhaj says a system known as e-health care, which would computerise filing systems and create a database for all patients treated at various healthcare institutions, would encourage greater efficiency at hospitals across the Commonwealth.

Speaking during a marathon session, Dr. Arulrjah said many countries are already taking advantage of e-health care.  He insists, if properly implemented, patients along with healthcare providers, will be able to discuss medical issues on-line and medical professionals will no longer have to dedicate extended periods of time to paperwork.

He also says efforts are being made to connect doctors with patients using a service called e-mobile health care, and initiative for which phone company Nokia is providing support.  Additionally doctors will soon be able to get patient’s x-rays and scans on their mobile phones.

American pediatrician, Suzette Ettienne, endorses  e-health. Dr. Ettienne says she uses e-health at her practice in the United States and testifies that it has improved the service she offers her patients.  

The participants hope to have Commonwealth Governments buy-in to the idea and have captured it in a communiqué which will be presented to Heads during their meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad.