By Leilani S. Junio
BOAC, Marinduque, Nov. 25 (PNA) — The Department of Health (DOH), through its regional office in MIMAROPA composed of the two provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan, is set to launch here on Wednesday the first inter-active Telemedicine system to be used in remote diagnosing and treating patients in distant communities.
According to DOH-MIMAROPA Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo, the launching of the new system of providing clinical health care at a distance will be held at the Dr. Damian J. Reyes Hospital in the capital town of Boac.
Dr. Janairo said that Telemedicine (also referred to as “telehealth” or “e-health”) allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients in remote locations using telecommunications technology.
He explained that through the new system, the conduct of medical examinations through live conversation will be made possible.
“The system will enable the patient to communicate with the health care providers live and in real time for the provision of immediate care,” he said.
He added that the video and images of the patient will be captured and be stored through the Community Health Information and Tracking System (CHITS) to make the patient’s data available to the doctor who will handle the diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Janairo siad that through the system that will use RxBox medical device, the heart beat of a patient in Marinduque can be heard by an attending doctor in Manila.
Through also the RxBox, the blood pressure of the patient can easily be monitored.
The equipment will also be very useful in providing maternal and neo-natal services.
“The doctor can even communicate through the patient and ask the patient to cough, inhale or exhale to further analyze the health condition,” Janairo said.
Marinduque has been chosen for the launching of the Telemedicine system in MIMAROPA because it is the only province in the region where health care is not readily available due to limited presence of private hospitals and local health professionals.
Under the program, DOH-MIMAROPA allocated a total of Php10 million for the installation of the satellite and electronic equipment that will be used by the system.
The local government of Marinduque will be responsible for the salaries of the health workers and membership payment for non-PhilHealth member residents. (PNA)