As TSI members are aware, we have a North-East Chapter of TSI from Oct 2023, headquartered at Guwahati. Generally, a minimum of 20 members are required to start a state chapter. However, in the case of north east comprising the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura (commonly known as the “Seven Sisters”), and the “brother” state of Sikkim was considered special by the TSI EC and approved forming a chapter for the 8 chapters together to kickstart the activities. The plan is to slowly expand to as many individual state chapters as possible with 20 members from each state particularly, two big states among them viz., Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Though the chapter was formed more than a year and half, significant activity is yet to take off.

I had been to Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) and Guwahati (Assam) personally recently to have personal discussions and motivate and mobilize the teams and also to encourage them to hold this year’s Mid-Term Conference at in the region. The preliminary discussions brought out the fact that, Guwahati is the big city of the region and with good access by road, air and rail. Guwahati also has good number of Medical and Engineering institutions including prestigious AIIMS and IIT.

Had a great Introductory meeting with Dr. Ashok Puranik (Col.) Executive Director AIIMS on March 18,2025. He is very enthusiastic and eager to join TSI and work for the expansion of TM services particularly in NE. When mooted the idea of holding the Midterm meeting of TSI and requested AIIMS to join hands, he has instantly agreed in-principle. To discuss the details and modalities, he was kind enough to give time for a formal meeting along with his TM team the next day where in TSI member Mr. S.N.Farid from Guwahati and AIIMS team of doctors and Telemedicine team participated.

AIIMS also has been thinking of conducting a national workshop on Telemedicine Practice Guidelines (TMPG) for limited numbers as a sort of Training of the Trainers (To). However, on our request it was agreed upon and decided to hold the workshop as part of the Midterm conference to a larger audience during the month of May,2025. AIIMS will be providing the venue and extend best possible support. It was decided to invite as many state government doctors and practioners from all the states of the region and impart this training basically covering- Evolution and Growth of TM in India, TMPG and Ethical and Legal aspects of TM in addition to a talk on the Revenue based business model for TM. ED AIIMS requested a lecture of mine to their medical community and I was fortunate enough to address about 50-60 of them and presented the introduction, status and need for expanding TM Services in the region.

Subsequently, had two wonderful meetings and promising developments at IIT Guwahati where we met two professors Dr. Pradip K Das and Prof. Ajay Dashora who have accepted in principle to be part of midterm conference with one lecture to their Students and faculty on the first day and encouraging their students and faculty for abstracts submission.

Another surprising and unexpected visit was to Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) at Byrnihat, Ri-Bhoi District Meghalaya. This happened with the personal request and initiative of Dr. Krishna Reedy, Dean of the Unversity. Located about 2 hours drive from Guwahati, nestled amidst the serene hills of Meghalaya, with its recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and approvals from several. professional bodies. Had an occasion to address and interact with MGU’s students of diverse range of courses in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Nursing department provides ANM and GNM courses, preparing compassionate healthcare professionals, Legal Studies, Allied Health Sciences etc. addressing the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals. The students also were from the Science & Technology department and Commerce & Management along with Humanities & Social Sciences. Gave the introduction to Telemedicine and how that is more needed and how it can be more useful for their region. The Space Technology based talk was mainly focused and tailored to prepare them for the Telemedicine and rural healthcare services in the backdrop of the infrastructure and affordability for advanced healthcare to that population. Answering the questions from students, information about the proposed midterm conference was given to attract abstracts and participation, but more importantly advised then to take up internships and project works in Telemedicine for different specialties of their studies- Market Potential & Business models; Geographic mapping of Communication and internet availability and zonation of them based on the level of connectivity options; database and mapping of the hospitals and their capacities & specialties; the legal aspects of Telemedicine Practice and any other work for the application of science and Technology for the society. The students were happy (seemed to be happy) with the prospects of potential internships and project works and promised to become students members since I have linked that as a precondition for extending help in internships and project works. Let’s hope for the best and provide our best support whenever they approach, in our own offices or using our contacts in industry. This should be a win-win-win situation for the students, University and TSI as well.