RxBox booth at Region I’s NSTW 2016 attracts young, old
RxBox RTC for Region I Kharinne Sison explains the parts and functions of the RxBox device to the students who visited the RxBox booth during the region’s NSTW activities.
Eager to learn about the biomedical telemedicine device RxBox, both the elderly and the young ones lined up at the RxBox booth inside a mall in San Fernando City, La Union on July 25 to 29, 2016 in an exhibit of projects supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region I. The exhibit was part of DOST’s celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) 2016.
RxBox Regional Training Coordinator (RTC) and nurse Kharinne Sison, who manned the RxBox booth with DOST RTC Michael Maquiling and RxBox Project Assistant Rochelle Marinduque, relates that visitors on day one flocked to the booth to watch an RxBox demo, but they grew more interested as soon as they learned about RxBox’s blood pressure component. They wanted to test the RxBox for themselves. They also asked about making the device available in their municipalities. Some were surprised to know that their rural health units were already using one.
By the second day, Sison was taking and recording the visitors’ blood pressure readings one by one. She encouraged those who had high blood pressure to seek consultation with a doctor. The RxBox booth was frequented by curious students, senior citizens, and working professionals throughout the week. Students who came were particularly thrilled to know that a device which can help reduce the prevalence of maternal and neonatal illnesses as well as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in the country is a Filipino innovation.
The RxBox was one of the technologies showcased in the NSTW activities simultaneously held nationwide. On September 15 and 16, DOST Region I also brought the RxBox to San Fabian, Pangasinan as it held the first science and technology caravan in the province.
(With report from Kharinne Sison, RN, MAN)
