Parañaque City's Telemedicine Success: A Model of Public-Private Partnership in Health
The event, attended by representatives from WHO Philippines, highlighted the significant strides Parañaque City has made in promoting health and ensuring access to quality services. Dr. John Juliard Go, the National Professional Officer of WHO Philippines, commended the pilot barangays in Parañaque for their dedication to leveraging technology to enhance healthcare.
"I see we are blessed and happy; our pilot barangays in Parañaque certainly have done a lot in the past few years," remarked Dr. Go. He emphasized the pivotal role telemedicine played during the pandemic and stressed the importance of its continued use. Dr. Go underscored the need for trust, regulatory guidance, and equitable access, stating, "This is not just for the privileged and must be supported with adequate resources to institutionalize it. This is important for universal healthcare."
Dr. Olga Virtusio, the City Health Officer for Parañaque City Health Office, expressed her gratitude to the various stakeholders involved in the successful implementation of telemedicine. She playfully remarked, "Sitting beside Dr. Jojo is a little fun," acknowledging the collaborative effort that made the telemedicine initiative possible.
With a population of 704,904, Parañaque has achieved notable health milestones in the last five years, including a decrease in infant mortality rates, improvements in vaccination coverage, and an increase in consultation rates. The city has also provided 683 teleconsultations and continues to offer SeeYouDoc appointments, particularly to new and male patients. Infrastructure support, including the delivery of ICT equipment and internet facilities, has significantly enhanced the capabilities of Health Centers in the city.
Despite these achievements, Parañaque City faces challenges such as budget constraints, the need for additional health equipment, a demand for young health workers, transportation issues, and varying medicine requirements. However, the city's dedication to overcoming these obstacles underscores the commitment to inclusive healthcare.
The success in Parañaque City serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between public and private institutions. The seamless integration of telemedicine has not only improved health service delivery but also holds the promise of expanding universal health coverage across the city and, hopefully, to other parts of the country. With guidelines and procedures in place, Filipinos stand to benefit significantly in health management, logistics, and community support. The Parañaque model demonstrates that the future of healthcare lies in cooperation, innovation, and a shared commitment to leaving no one behind.
Social Counter