MOSTI To Showcase Virtual Autopsy In Q1 2006

CYBERJAYA, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) will roll out the virtual autopsy concept by the first quarter of next year in an effort to promote the technology in the country.
Minister Datuk Seri Jamaludin Jarjis said the ministry would set up a test bed site in Kuala Lumpur to showcase the technology.
It plans to use its research and development (R&D) allocation to set up the test bed site, he told reporters after the virtual autopsy demonstration, here Tuesday.
Virtual autopsy is a scapel-free procedure that uses the latest in medical imaging technology to provide a complete three-dimensional view of the internal and external side of the human body.
The technique could offer an alternative to the standard invasive procedure that upsets many families and is prohibited by some religions.
"We are holding this showcase to instil confidence in the community and professionals in the technology," Jamaludin said.
The demonstration was jointly organised by MOSTI, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC), INFOVALLEY Life Sciences Sdn Bhd and Silicon Graphics Inc.
Jamaludin said that the virtual autopsy could help forensic pathologists in performing post-mortem under the virtual autopsy concept for cases of deaths requiring physical post-mortem.
"Most of the communities in the country do not like physical post-mortem done on members of their families. With the virtual autopsy the post-mortem methods in the country will see a change," he said.
Jamaludin said that the ministry will also propose virtual autopsy to the Health Ministry.
He said that there was a possibility that the project would be implemented by the Health Ministry under the e-health flagship.
He said that in order to perform the virtual autopsy, imaging and data processing machines are required.
"Todate, there are 65 imaging machines in the country. What is required now is the processing machines.
"In line with this, we propose that each cluster of hospitals in the Klang Valley, north, south and east Peninsular Malaysia be equipped with data processing machines," he said.