KUCHING, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Sarawak is looking into the possibility of further expanding the usage of telemedicine to reach the far-flung interior areas in the state.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains), a state-owned information, communication and technology (ICT) arm, should now focus on penetrating telemedicine to the interior areas by coming up with suitable application.

"Using the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) is quite expensive while shortage of medical personnel is still a problem in the state. I think Sains can focus on telemedicine to improve health service in the interior areas," he told a news conference here today.

Telemedicine is the application of medical-related information either through telephone or over the Internet for consultation and basic medical procedures or examination.

Earlier, Taib congraluted Sains for its Integrated Court System (ICS) application that has won the World E-Content award, the most prestigious ICT award initiated by the United Nations (UN) World Summit Award. The award presentation was held in Mexico on Sept 2.