Global considerations for implementation of telemedicine

In Dec. 1989, the United Nations proclaimed the Decade 1990-1999 as the International Decade for Natural Disasters Reduction (IDNDR). The Decade identified a number of research programs. IDNDR, provides a unique opportunity to explore the potential offered by the emerging technologies, and to promote, develop, and support those technologies deemed adequate to make the next century a safer one, especially in the poorest countries of the world. But all this improvement cannot be accomplished in a vacuum. We must begin now to eliminate pitfalls and illusions. A new attitude must emerge. In the scope of reducing human damages resulting from disasters, we must reconsider the cross-cultural understanding, and reach a real awareness which combines humility with a sense of relativeness. Promoting the right context is essential to the mandate of the Decade.