381teleconsultation medical records were sent in 2008 (to be compared to 262 in 2007). Such a fast growth can be explained among others by the operational improvement of information processing and telecommunication tools. The diagram presented hereunder, extracted from the CHAR activity report in 2008, evidences the number of requests per medical domains.

The main development projects beyond 2008 are:

• Demonstrating and validating an integrated solution for real time remote echography using links by satellite (ARTIS project – ‘Advanced Robotized Tele-echograph Integrated System’).
• Integrating practitioners from the private sector into the telemedicine network ( ARTEMEG project – ARTEMEG stands for ‘Association for a telemedicine network in Guyana)
• Increasing the number of transportable echographs in order to develop tele-obstetrics.

These enlargements are mandatory. They can be designed only within the frame of an already existing network. A report about the role of telemedicine in healthcare operations organization, issued in 2008, quotes the development of telemedicine in Guyana as exemplary.

To conclude:

• The telemedicine network operating in Guyana actually allows breaking off the isolation of remote population in terms of healthcare. So, it reduces the social break which exists in Guyana in terms of access to healthcare.
• The medical usefulness and reliability of this system are no longer to be demonstrated. Technological issues are under due control.
• Since the various stakeholders are involved, this network has been consolidated and will go on improving and spreading off.