Telemedicine services eyed in CCMC, CHD

CEBU, Philippines —  A Cebu City councilor has proposed an ordinance establishing telemedicine services in the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) and City Health Department (CHD).

Councilor Alvin Dizon sponsored a measure entitled “Telemedicine Services Ordinance in the City of Cebu” now pending before the committee on laws, ordinances, and styling for review.

Dizon’s proposed ordinance seeks to establish a system of telemedicine services in the CCMC and CHD to maximize the use of technology in healthcare settings to connect health care providers with city residents especially those who are geographically situated in remote or underserved communities and those who cannot afford the services of a private healthcare institutions but continue to seek life-prolonging maintenance medical services for their illness but suffer from mobility restrictions.

Also, its aim is to improve health outcomes by increasing patient’s access to health services given the gap or shortage of healthcare professionals and overcome the lack of health facilities especially in remote areas or in unserved or underserved communities.

Under the proposal, the city shall provide the means of enabling such services and systems including assistance, support, medical appointment, and monitoring and diagnostics.

It states the standard for telemedicine practice by the healthcare providers in CCMC and CHD shall be governed by the Department of Health (DOH)-University of the Philippines- Manila Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2000-0001 entitled “Telemedicine Practice Guidelines” issued on June 8, 2020 and the Philippine Medical Association’s “Telemedicine: Guidance for Physicians in the Philippines.”

Digital health, in this case the use of telemedicine, requires trained medical professionals in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in health care settings. Thus, training and building the capacity of health care providers in both CCMC and CHD shall be a priority and shall receive full support from the city government.

Moreover, comprehensive public education campaigns shall be jointly undertaken by the CCMC and CHD in coordination with the Public Information Office to promote awareness on the safety and benefits of adopting telemedicine as viable health option for those patients who are situated in remote, unserved or underserved communities as well as other relevant information about telemedicine that would help empower patients to use the digital platform for their health and well-being needs.

Once approved, the city shall appropriate a yearly amount of P5 million to be charged against the general fund for its implementation. — GMR (FREEMAN)