Kacific commits satellite service to help remote medical clinics combat COVID-19 across Asia Pacific

As recent epidemics have shown, rural and remote communities, although isolated, are particularly vulnerable during an epidemic, once community transmission takes effect.

To help governments during Covid-19, Kacific Broadband Satellites Group is offering over 1,000 small satellite dishes, at no cost, and make them available to healthcare departments throughout Asia Pacific, so they can rapidly connect rural and remote medical clinics to high-speed internet.

Internet connectivity will assist better tracking of developing clusters of infection in communities. It will also allow faster and more efficient response of medical staff in smaller towns and rural locations as they tackle the Covid-19 virus.

Connected clinics give remote medical staff access to up-to-date information, the ability to arrange medical supplies and transport, and the opportunity to work alongside city-based specialists. It gives them confidence and support to treat their patients in a difficult time. It also gives governments the ability to de-centralise their healthcare by leveraging as much as possible their entire network of clinics rather than only relying only on their central hospitals.

Connecting clinics contribute to the wider health system through sharing information and ensuring that patients, no matter where they live, can access appropriate medical treatment and factual information.

We can rapidly deploy our Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) and quickly connect them to the internet, fast-tracking connectivity in a time where a rapid response is needed. Kacific will collaborate with local service partners or government task forces to ensure services are delivered optimally.

Kacific also extends exclusively to healthcare departments during the Covid-19 crisis, special bandwidth packages at US$1.7/Gbyte or less, depending on local regulations.

Although bandwidth will be prioritised and offered at lower cost for healthcare, communities and other facilities around these 1000 and more health facilities would also benefit as more bandwidth can be pushed through those satellite dishes.

Kacific invites Ministries of Health, medical communities or NGO active in healthcare within the coverage range of Kacific1 and not already in discussions with Kacific, to make contact.

With these efforts, Kacific hopes to play its part in the fight against Covid-19 and urges everyone to stay safe and healthy.

Countries include Pacific: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Micronesia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Timor-Leste and Southern Thailand.