MSC Cruises is claiming a world first with a round-the-clock telemedicine service for children onboard its ships.
Offered in conjunction with Italy’s Instituto Giannina Gaslini, it will allow its ship’s doctors to call up support from specialists working at the Genoa-based paediatrics institute at whatever time of day.
An MSC spokesperson said: “It is initially available on the company’s Sinfonia, with the remaining 11 ships in the fleet scheduled to be ready by September 1.”
Paolo Petralia, director general of the Institute, said the system will allow the ship’s doctors to confirm diagnoses and treatments via satellite transmissions of images and data.
The fully computerised system designed by US-based Carestream is meant to allow doctors to work very quickly, from the request for a consultancy to getting answers.
At the launch in Genoa last week, MSC’s CEO Gianni Onorato, said: “It’s very important to take care of the health and security of our passengers onboard, especially the youngest ones who can need different types of aid and treatment from other age groups.”
The telemedicine service will be available in whatever part of the world the company’s ships are operating, adding to the onboard teleradiography and general consulting services the company already offers.
