Inauguration of the Telemedicine Centre for the Deaf

Hyderabad, 1st Oct 2024: India is home to over 1.8 million individuals with profound hearing loss. Deaf people in India face numerous challenges when interacting with healthcare professionals, primarily due to communication barriers. A significant hurdle is the shortage of certified Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpreters, with only around 300 interpreters available nationwide. This lack of accessibility often prevents deaf individuals from accessing essential healthcare services, making it difficult to schedule appointments or communicate effectively with doctors.

To address these challenges, the KIMS Foundation and Research Centre (KFRC) is proud to announce the inauguration of its Telemedicine Centre for the Deaf. The center aims to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility for the deaf community by using advanced video interpretation systems that enable ISL communication between deaf patients and doctors.

This center will be officially inaugurated by Mrs. Rajyasri Bollineni on October 1, 2024, at 10:30 AM.A Step Towards Inclusive HealthcareThe Telemedicine Centre for the Deaf is designed to offer real-time virtual communication between deaf patients and healthcare providers through certified ISL interpreters. This system not only helps facilitate smooth communication but also allows patients to receive care from the comfort of their own homes. By leveraging technology, the center ensures that healthcare becomes more inclusive and accessible for the deaf community, who often struggle with accessing basic medical services.Collaboration with Deaf Enabled FoundationKFRC has partnered with the Deaf Enabled Foundation (DEF) to ensure the highest standard of medical interpretation services.

Mr. Sandeep, Founder and President of DEF, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "This initiative is a step towards ensuring that the deaf community receives the care they deserve." The center’s video consultation platform ensures secure and efficient communication, ensuring that no deaf individual is left behind in healthcare access.Research and Innovation at KFRCIn addition to its telemedicine services, the center is also dedicated to advancing communication technologies for the deaf. KFRC is actively conducting research to develop ISL recognition systems that translate hand gestures into text in real-time. This pioneering technology, developed in collaboration with academic institutions, aims to revolutionize communication for the deaf in medical settings.A Vision for the FutureDr. Bollineni Bhaskar Rao, CMD of KIMS, emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to be more deaf-aware.