The Department of Health (DOH) and the University of the Philippines are finalising stakeholder consultations for the drafting of an Administrative Order (AO) which aims to institutionalise the government’s National Telehealth program.

With the AO, nearing its final draft, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said this will further support activities aimed at achieving universal healthcare in a country riddled various geographic and social challenges. The Telehealth system will address health needs of Filipinos located in far flung rural areas where it is difficult to access quality medical care. In addition, it will reduce unnecessary travels by simply connecting patients to doctors with a click of a button.

“For so long, we have known that the accurate and timely data in our local health centres hold the key to monitoring the performance of our health system. But since time immemorial, the government has not systematically implemented such information systems,” Ona said.

“The implementation of the AO supports efforts to establish a modern information system that shall provide evidence for policy and program development, and support for immediate and efficient provision of health care and management of province-wide health systems.”