The 13th Interconnection of Military Hospitals (IMIHO) Users’ Meeting took place virtually on 17 December 2020, in collaboration with “Celio” Military Hospital in Rome. A Webinar was executed via IMIHO dedicated teleconference platform, that focused on the contributions, challenges and experiences of the Military health care personnel during the ongoing pandemic crisis.
Participants from seven Nations, as well as the SEDM Secretariat had the opportunity to receive an extensive briefing, composed of diverse and informational presentations on COVID-19 related topics, such as national perspectives and military contribution, evacuation of patients, diagnosis, triage/bed allocation priority and software development. The duration of the Webinar was extended, due to the enthusiastic willingness of Participants to engage into conversation and exchange their expert opinions, views and experiences, as well as elaborate on lessons learned and way-ahead.
The 31st IMIHO Technical Working Group Meeting took place virtually on 18 December 2020. During the event, the IMIHO Chairman elaborated on the significant progress and tangible outcomes achieved during the last months, as well as the planned way-ahead. A fruitful dialog produced several action items of common interest and benefits. Specific actions were decided, aiming at further enriching the IMIHO Portal, enhancing functions and services offered at no cost to users, including subprojects, webinars and online medical training, both theoretical and practical. Furthermore, a new version of the IMIHO website is under development, with substantial results, by utilizing new internet technologies, open-source software, mobile technologies and based on best practices, lessons learned and user feedback.
The participants would like to express their gratitude to “Celio” Hospital personnel for the excellent presentations and superb organization of the event. Also, special thanks to SEDM Secretariat for the support, as well as all participants for the cordial cooperation.
We hope that these multinational activities will bring the national health care communities closer, provide an online medium for information and expertise exchange, while conducting training, fostering scientific and academic collaboration among professionals of the Health Care Institutions, serving Military personnel. Finally, it is our hope that the Webinar and future activities will help towards bringing soon an end to the ongoing pandemic situation.
More information and recorded material will be available at theat the IMIHO Portal soon.