Chinese navy uses telemedicine in major missions

Telemedicine has enabled Chinese medical workers to provide timely medical support for both offshore and blue-water military missions.

Medical workers from the No. 425 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have participated in the Chinese Navy's escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somalia waters many times, and created many records in maritime medical support in the history of China's armed forces.

Li Caixia, a senior nursing officer with the No. 425 Hospital who participated in the fifth and sixth escort missions of the Chinese Navy, said that despite limited medical conditions onboard, officers and soldiers can consult doctors at the hospital in real time through the "teleconsultation system" during escort missions. The system can help address emergencies in a timely fashion and save patients valuable time.

The hospital has attached great importance to telemedicine, realized real-time dynamic transmission of maritime medical support information, and is thus able to provide medical support for blue-water military missions.

In addition to escort missions, the hospital has sent more than 400 batches totaling over 3,000 staff members to provide medical support for such major missions as the launch of Shenzhou spacecraft, submarine exercises, and maritime search and rescue.