Marinduque gets PHL's first telemedicine system

QUEZON CITY, November 26, (PIA) - The country's first interactive Telemedicine system was launched today at Marinduque.

“This is one big leap for the health care industry because we now have the ability to provide interactive healthcare to patients in far flung areas through a video call using modern technology and telecommunications. Medical examinations can now be done through a live video conversation,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said during the soft opening of the Telemedicine system at the Marinduque Provincial Hospital.

Governor Camencita O. Reyes was present during the launch.

"A doctor from Manila can virtually hear a patient’s heartbeat from Marinduque. He can even ask you to cough, inhale or exhale and give you an initial analysis of your health condition,” Janairo said.

The Telemedicine system allows a patient to communicate with health care providers live over video in real time for the provision of immediate care.  The patients' video or still images plus additional data needed in the diagnosis will be captured and stored in the system which in turn be sent to physicians.

The World Health Organization defines Telemedicine as 'the delivery of health care services by all health care professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries, research and evaluation, and for the continuing education of health care providers, all in the interests of advancing the health of individuals and their communities.'

“We have chosen to set up the system in Marinduque because it is the only province where noble health care is scarce. There are no private hospitals and limited local health professionals. Patients who are Philhealth members seek treatment from hospitals of nearby provinces like Calapan City and Batangas City,” Director Janairo said.

DOH-MIMAROPA provided 10M for the installation of the satellites that will be use by the system. Marinduque, on the other hand, will provide for the wages of the existing health care workers and membership payment to Philhealth for non-member residents also known as the Point-Of-Care Enrollment.

Initially, three hospitals will be linked with each other, namely the Sta. Cruz District Hospital, Torijos Municipal Hospital and the Dr. Damian Reyes Provincial Hospital which will serve as the main hub for the system. Two systems will be utilized for the Rural Health Units (RHU) and Barangay Health Stations (BHS), a Quantum Magnetic Resonance Analyzer (QMRA) and the RxBox device.
The QMRA will be placed at the RHUs and BHS and it will be use to analyze the signals of electromagnetic waves emitted by human bodies. It is done by simply holding a sensor in your palm and health data will be collected within minutes from parts of your various body systems.

The RxBox medical device will function as a blood pressure monitor, pulse oxymeter,
electrocardiogram, fetal heart monitor, and maternal tocometer. This machine can diagnose a patient’s condition and is specifically used to provide maternal and neonatal services. It will also document a patient’s information through the Community Health Information and Tracking System (CHITS).

“Eventually, the Telemedicine system will be expanded to link all the health facilities of the region into one network including rural health units and resorts in MIMAROPA. Marinduque will be the center of the telemedicine system, eventually placing the heart of the Philippines in the world map,” Director Janairo added. (Lyndon Plantilla)