The Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Podgorica and Budva health centers, is launching a pilot project of teleophthalmology, which will provide citizens with simpler and faster access to eye fundus examinations, the government department announced.
The Ministry said that as part of a pilot project, modern fundus cameras for digital imaging of the posterior segment of the eye were purchased and installed in the Capital City Health Center and the Budva Health Center.
"The recordings will be performed by specially trained technicians, while the analysis of the recordings will be performed by a team of ophthalmologists from health centers and the Clinical Center of Montenegro, remotely, via a digital platform," the statement says.
It is stated that such a work model allows the patient to receive an expert assessment without having to physically visit a specialist.
"If the findings are normal, the patient does not need to take any additional steps, while people in whom certain changes are observed will be referred for a specialist examination for further examination and treatment," the Ministry of Health said.
Teleophthalmology, as stated by the department, brings numerous benefits to patients.
They said that examinations are becoming faster and more accessible, especially for the elderly, chronically ill and residents of remote areas.
"At the same time, the system enables early detection of serious eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, at a stage when they can be successfully treated," the statement said.
It is stated that citizens will have less need to travel and that ophthalmology clinics will be relieved of routine and screening examinations, which leaves more time for patients who need a more detailed specialist examination.
"This project represents the first step towards establishing a national teleophthalmology program, especially important for patients with diabetes and hypertension, for whom regular fundus examinations are essential for preserving vision," the Ministry said.
They stated that teleophthalmology is part of a broader strategy of digitalization and modernization of the healthcare system, which introduces modern tools, such as teleradiology and teleconsultation, into the daily work of healthcare institutions.
"In this way, we are building a more efficient, accessible and fairer system, using digital technologies to provide patients with faster service and doctors with better quality support in their work," the statement says.
The Ministry said that, upon completion of the pilot phase, based on the results and experiences obtained, they will make a decision to expand the system to other health centers throughout Montenegro.
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