Tacloban City, May 17, 2017 - The RxBox1000 is the continuation of the successful nationwide implementation of the RxBox100 project from the previous years. The current project aims to deploy 1000 RxBox devices nationwide in which 88 is allotted for the Eastern Visayas region. The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office VIII spearheaded by the Regional Director and Project Leader Dir. Edgardo Esperancilla, CESO II, is the implementer of the project in the region in partnership with UP Manila National Telehealth Center and Department of Health Regional Office VIII. The national coordinator is the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office IVA.
The project aims to deploy RxBox devices and implement the use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) such as Community Health Information Tracking System (CHITS) and Integrated Clinic Information System (iClinicSys) with telemedicine to provide better access to life-saving health care services in isolated and disadvantaged communities nationwide.
The RxBox is a telemedicine device capable of capturing medical signals through a built-in medical sensors, storing data in an electronic medical record and transmitting health information via internet to a clinical specialist in the Philippine General Hospital or Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) for expert advice. The device is composed of five (5) medical sensors that includes a Tocometer/Fetal Heart Rate Monitor, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Blood Pressure Monitor, Pulse Oximeter, and a Temperature sensor. It is a medical device that can be used for diagnostic procedures as well as an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) which can be utilized for the storage and referral of clients’ medical records. The presence of these technologies in the community will hopefully reduce child mortality (MDG 4), improve maternal health (MDG 5), and detect non-communicable diseases which consequently lead to better health for all Filipinos.
RxBox1000 project implementation has commenced in the region and based on the assessment conducted by the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office 8 and the corresponding provincial offices, the following is the breakdown on the number of municipalities that were identified to be recipients of RxBox1000 in the region: Leyte-37, Biliran -3, Southern Leyte-10, Samar-8, Eastern Samar-17, and Northern Samar-13. The RxBox will be deployed to the respective Rural Health Unit (RHU) of the municipalities identified. Currently, pre-deployment activities of the project is initiated in the region which includes site validation, site data gathering and Local Government Unit (province and municipality) coordination/orientation and the deployment is to follow after the orientation and trainings if stakeholders in the RHU. The message of using technology to advanced quality healthcare in the country is shared in these activities.