Press Releases
Satellite Technology Connects Isolated Aboriginal Health Centres
OTTAWA, ON, April 15, 2003 - High speed Internet access to some of the most remote and isolated First Nation communities in Canada is becoming a reality as information management firm Sixdion Inc., an Aboriginal company, and satellite services provider Telesat Canada are partnering to deliver this service for Health Canada.
The project will initially bring satellite high speed Internet service to 148 of Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) sites through the e-Health Solutions Unit by April 2003. The E-Health Solutions Unit provides community-based Information Technology/Information Management (IT/IM) support from its headquarters in Ottawa and in seven regional offices. These sites include hospitals, nursing stations, clinics and treatment centres from BC to Newfoundland and as far north as Inuvik. High speed telecommunications will enable the deployment of various e-Health solutions such as applications for Home and Community Care & Diabetes and access to support tools for health care professionals such as portals and virtual health libraries. This contract is valued at $2.285 million. The contract option allows for the expansion of the services to an additional 354 sites.
"This project is about much more than communications technology", said Murray Dion, President & CEO of Sixdion Inc. "It's about building a foundation to ensure the Aboriginal community and Health Canada receive the highest level of service and support in its health centres. The Sixdion team is excited to be working with Health Canada and Telesat to implement an infrastructure that delivers true and measurable value in the community."
"This project is a great example of how Telesat's satellite technology can make a profound difference in the lives of Canadians," said Larry Boisvert, Telesat's President and CEO. "Telesat looks forward to working with Sixdion and Health Canada in bringing the benefits of high speed Internet to nursing and other health care community professionals across the nation."
About Telesat
Telesat is a pioneer in satellite operations and systems management. The company made history in 1972 with the launch of the first domestic commercial communications satellite in geostationary orbit. Today, Telesat competes with other top international satellite fleets in providing telecommunications and broadcasting services throughout the Americas and consulting services worldwide. Telesat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCE Inc., Canada's largest communications company.
About Sixdion
Founded in 1996, Sixdion Inc. is a majority owned and controlled Aboriginal firm offering information management solutions across Canada to public and private organizations. Sixdion brings to the Health Canada project their extensive project management expertise and broad experience delivering IT solutions to Aboriginal communities. Visit Sixdion at www.sixdion.com.
For more information:
Marilynn Wright
Telesat
(613) 748-0123
Dan Tisch (media only)
Argyle Rowland Communications
(416) 968-7311 ext. 223
