Yandex says telemedicine can improve longevity of Russians

MOSCOW, May 31 (PRIME) -- Adoption of a law on telemedicine, allowing doctors to remotely consult patients, in Russia will raise accessibility of medical services and extend life expectancy of citizens, Grigory Bakunov, director of technology distribution at Internet giant Yandex, said on Wednesday.

Lines to healthcare facilities will not shorten with implementation of the initiative. “Moreover, load on doctors will grow at first. We have lots of people who avoid paying a visit to doctors because they don’t want to spend time on it. With telemedical services, people will know more and care more about their health, and go to doctors,” Bakunov said.

A corresponding bill was submitted to the State Duma, the parliament’s lower house, in the middle of May. The document introduces an option of providing medical services remotely. Doctors will be able to issue electronic prescriptions as well.

Bakunov said the initiative will make medical services more accessible, which will prolong lives of people and help the economy to grow.

The country’s market of tele-consultations will reach U.S. $200 million in 2020 if the document comes into force in 2018. Technical capacities for the initiative already exist, he said.

According to BBC Research and analytical company IHS, the world’s telemedicine market will be at $44 billion by 2019 with an average yearly growth of 17.7%.

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