INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
TELEMEDICINE An exclusive interview with Krishnan Ganapathy 1. You are on the Board of ATNF & ATHS. How did you come to be involved with them? It started on September 16 1996, I had just finished delivering an
institute lecture at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, a globally recognised institution. Just after the Q & A ended at 09:00PM, Prof. Srivathsan, HOD of Electrical
Engineering Department insisted I have dinner with him. He introduced me to the word “Telemedicine”. We jointly prepared a project report from 11:00PM – 04:00AM. Then commenced a love affair, which over the next 26 years has taken its toll. My legally wedded wife is often relegated to No. 3. Initially, I was wedded to Neurosurgery and now it is Telehealth. Having started the first Stereotactic Radiosurgery unit in South Asia and as Secretary of the then 2200 strong Neurological Society of India, conventional wisdom dictated that I should continue to focus my skills and energy completely, on what I was trained for, namely neurosurgery. However, deep down was a nagging feeling: “Was there not something else, which I could do, which could help more than a few thousand neurosurgical patients.” And then the story began. I took the road less travelled by and the rest, as they say, is History! In fact, I embarked on making Geography History, and distance meaningless!
KRISHNAN GANAPATHY is a Former Secretary and Past President Neurological Society of India, Telemedicine Society of India & Indian Society for Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery. Hon. Distinguished Professor, The TamilNadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Emeritus Professor National Academy of Medical Sciences Member Roster of Experts Digital Health WHO. Director, Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation & Apollo Tele Health Services, India. URL: www.kganapathy.in E Mail: drganapathy@apollohospitals.com
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A SI A N H O S P I T A L & H EA LT HCA R E M A N AGE M E N T
IS S UE - 56, 2022
