One of the most costly and necessary services in the world is health care. Unfortunately, not all people can afford it, resulting in a surplus of ailment cases that go unchecked and eventually a growing number of deaths that could have been prevented.

It is common to hear some Bahamians state that if they get sick, they will never want to be admitted to the Rand Memorial Hospital or the Princess Margaret Hospital, why? Because they simply do not believe that our national hospitals are adequately equipped to deal with all of their health care needs.

While a great deal of that is not true, it does give an insight of how citizens view the health care system of the country.

However, they may want to change that view by next year as according to Health and Social Development Minister Hubert Minnis, his Ministry intends to utilize what he describes as a 'new advancement in the medical field' that will enable patients to save money on travel expenses.

When persons are critically injured or suffer from critical diseases, they are usually airlifted to New Providence from the various Family Islands for further treatment. Over the years, this procedure has become extremely expensive, especially when the travel destination is the United States or another place outside of The Bahamas.

Calling the initiative 'Telemedicine' Dr. Minnis is certain that it will allow physicians and specialists in New Providence to examine a patient from any major island of The Bahamas without that individual having to leave from there. The medical experts would then be able to determine after examination whether the individual needs to be transferred to Nassau or not.

It was during the Governor General's annual visit to the Rand last week that the Minister confirmed this, adding that Telemedicine will also allow local physicians to participate in conferences and be updated on the latest advancements in the field without having to travel to the United States.

"I would like to point out that this technology, once compatible with those in the States, whichever institution be it in the Americas or Canada, individuals at John Hopkins University or whichever institution that is compatible with our instrumentation would be able to examine our patients both in Nassau and Grand Bahama and give a second opinion without us having to travel off the island or out of the country."

Telemedicine, based on what Minister Minnis says, not only saves local patients travel expenses, but also time. If a patient is admitted to a Family Island clinic and the health personnel there does not know what is wrong with the sick individual, once they are able to tap into such a system, then a huge amount of time is saved transporting that patient.

Furthermore, if examination can be done right there at the facility from a medical expert in New Providence, then that patient's life could be saved as time is a vital component of the health care industry.

This new system should come in handy at the Rand, in which the Grand Bahama Health Services is presently expanding and improving that facility. Much is being done to enhance the physical appearance of the island's health care properties, it is good to know that 'Telemedicine' is coming to improve how health care is being given.