City, DOST to roll-out 1,000 RxBox Telehealth devices to healthcare facilities

TO provide better access to life-saving health care services to constituents, the city government of Cagayan de Oro and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 10 will roll-out 1,000 RxBox Telehealth devices in selected healthcare facilities.

The 19th City Council headed by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy during its 116th regular session enacted an ordinance authorizing City Mayor Oscar Moreno to enter into and sign Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DOST-10 for the purpose.

In his letter to the City Council, Mayor Moreno said this project will further enhance the partnership between the national government, through the DOST-10, and the city in addressing the medical and hospital needs of the people.

The Gavel learned DOST-10 has been assisting the local government units and other government offices through various science-based programs and projects in recognition of its contribution to regional development.

It was learned that the DOST has collaborated with the University of the Philippines National Telehealth Center (UP NTHC) and the Department of Health (DOH) in the implementation of the project which is designed to provide healthcare service in COVID-19 facilities as well as isolated and disadvantaged communities nationwide.

Under the MOA, the DOST-10 shall facilitate the conduct of training of healthcare facility users on the installation, use/operation, and maintenance of the RxBox device, its accessories and software thru the UP NTHC. It shall coordinate technical support as needed by the healthcare facility during the project implementation.

For its part, the city, through the City Health Office, shall provide technical, financial, and human resource support in hosting the installation, operation, and responsible use of the device.

The MOA was reviewed and endorsed by the committees on health and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Maria Lourdes S. Gaane and Ian Mark Q. Nacaya, respectively.