Docs soon to opt for tele-evidence in courts

SHILLONG: Doctors who need to leave patients to travel to courts for deposing will soon have the option of tele-evidence.
A three-way video conference initiated by the Director of NEIGRIHMS involving judges of the Meghalaya High Court accompanied by judicial officers, NEIGRIHMS and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, on September 17 established the modalities for conducting tele-evidence where doctors are summoned by the Judicial Court to depose in various courts.
It was recognised that doctors have to travel to courts both within and outside the State that not only puts them under stress and entails expenses but also deprives patients of the services of the doctors.
It was appreciated that medical professionals are more welcoming in the modality of giving evidence without having to leave their work place and that the District Court is already equipped with video conference facilities. Technical support by NIC Shillong was assured. Protocols are being planned and developed for conducting tele-evidence soon. Such tele-evidence is regularly conducted, especially in respect of under-trial prisoners in judicial custody. It was hoped that tele-evidence in Meghalaya is expected to grow in structure and strength.
The video-conferencing was initiated as the first step towards discovering the requirement of the systems and finding ways to implement tele-evidence facilities for doctors working in Meghalaya.