DOH eyeing telemedicine to decongest hospitals

March 27, 2020

  With several hospitals in Metro Manila saying they have reached full capacity, the Department of Health (DOH) is looking at telemedicine for primary consultation of patients. 

In a statement Friday, the DOH said they are finalizing guidelines on how to use telemedicine, particularly primary care teleconsultation.

"The Department of Health is currently finalizing guidelines that will further promote use of teleconsultation," said the DOH. 

"To alleviate surge and minimize risks posed by unnecessary traffic in hospitals and enable effective community quarantine, the DOH recognizes the role of telemedicine," it said.

Among the  guidelines being eyed are on how to match health professional volunteers to telehealth providers or companies; and link telehealth initiatives with the regional,provincial, local epidemiological surveillance teams to facilitate contact  tracing and surveillance activities. 

Ahead of the guidelines on telemedicine, the DOH said it has forged partnerships with KonsultaMD and Medifi, who have both expressed willingness to provide free telemedicine services.

The DOH said other telehealth providers/companies, who can provide free primary care teleconsultation from March to June 2020, may reach out to the agency via nationalehealthprogram@gmail.com. DMS