Demonstrating telemedicine in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA’s) has been a recurring challenge for the RxBox project – a project of the UP Manila – National Telehealth Center which aims to enhance the capabilities of health workers in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of patients by providing a device, the RxBox, which can capture, store and transmit a patient’s physiologic data. The RxBox brings specialists closer to patients in GIDAs through telemedicine, a feat that necessitates mobile and internet connectivity.
When the DOST’S Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) heard of the RxBox project, they saw a golden opportunity to link the RxBox to one of their flagship projects: TV White Space. Ever wondered what those empty channels in your TV are for? This unused spectrum we see on television is called white space, which has been tapped by DOST-ICTO to provide internet connectivity in remote and disaster-hit areas. Better known as “Super-WiFi”, TV White Space has been successful in connecting national government agencies to the province of Bohol during last year’s quake.
From left to right: Vina R. Antopina (DOST Bohol), Bohol Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, Roselle L. Martonito (DOST-PCHRD), Dr. Kristine Mae P. Magtubo (Project manager of RxBox), Dr. Portia Grace F. Marcelo (Director, UP-NTHC)
This partnership between TV White Space and the RxBox was crystallized last January 28, 2014 when the coastal municipality of Tubigon, Bohol became the first town in Bohol, and in the whole Central Visayas region, to receive the RxBox. Being a previous recipient of TV White Space, Tubigon was able to maximize use of the RxBox through telemedicine.
“This is a good opportunity for us to grab because we will be able to see these two technologies working hand-in-hand,” UP-NTHC director Dr. Portia Marcelo said. Dr. Marcelo led the deployment o f the RxBox in Bohol with engagement with Governor Edgar Chatto. Gov. Chatto, an advocate of grassroots development, also expressed excitement over the partnership saying that the two projects help the province’s government-wide convergent development efforts geared towards making Bohol an Information and Commuincations Technology (ICT) destination.
The partnership of the two projects was the centerpiece of the First Philippine eHealth Summit held last February 4, 2014 in Sofitel . Health workers, and even the Mayor of Tubigon Engr. William R. Jao, and Gov. Chatto in Bohol were able to chat with DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo during the exhibit presentation. Physiologic data from patients in Tubigon, captured using the RxBox were transmitted through TV White Space to the computers in Sofitel. (See article here)
