2021-08-31 Donghyun Kim, Manila Trade Center, Philippines
– Expectations for improved accessibility, early detection of diseases, and electronic prescription issuance when introducing a telemedicine system –
– Inequality of access to medical care, poor digital health infrastructure in rural areas, etc. need to be addressed –
Health Indicators and Problems in the Philippines
In the Philippines, medical facilities are mainly concentrated in metropolitan areas, and in rural areas, access to medical services is not easy. The demand for telemedicine has been continuously increasing in the Philippines, but the need for telemedicine is increasing as patients have difficulty visiting hospitals due to the COVID-1919 pandemic. The Philippine government is trying to solve the problem of Filipinos living in rural areas who have difficulty receiving medical services by introducing a telemedicine system using COVID-1919 as an opportunity.
Due to the strong COVID-1919 prevention measure 'Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ)' implemented by the Philippine government, many Filipinos living in rural areas outside the metropolitan area are low-income, and some places do not have access to computers or smartphones or even proper internet. In order to develop telemedicine, the Philippines is also trying to improve environmental issues such as building medical infrastructure.
Philippine government's plan to strengthen public health care
[Philippines One Hospital Command (OHCC)]
Source: Philstar
The COVID-1919 pandemic has led to a surge in demand for telemedicine as people are reluctant to visit hospitals in person. Telemedicine is efficient in terms of time and cost, and it has emerged as an alternative to face-to-face treatment amid the spread of COVID-1919 because it is conducted non-face-to-face. It is especially preferred by patients with mild symptoms because they can easily receive prescriptions. The Philippines is currently providing patient referrals and telemedicine services through the government-run One Hospital Command (OHCC). It is said that the telemedicine system is always on standby, as it has been conducting remote treatment through the OHCC, rather than just operating a hotline. The OHCC was launched to monitor the occupancy of hospitals and other facilities due to COVID-1919 and to facilitate the congress of COVID-19 patients.
OHCC moved to the Philippine International Convention Center in June and additional staff are being hired to run the command center. Patients needing assistance can contact the center via the hotlines 6-0919-977, 3333-0915 and (7777)-02-886 or send an application through the PureForce citizen app. The Philippines is preparing to build a network with local governments by expanding not only OHCC but also local government units. Local governments should set up a hotline for those who need remote medical care or guidance, which can prevent the spread of the delta mutation and overload the national medical system.
Introduction of telemedicine system in Korea
KOTRA Manila Trade Center invited Kangwon National University, Hanyang University, Bodytech Med Co., Ltd., The I Holdings, Inbody Co., Ltd., and Yushin CNC Co., Ltd. as speakers and held an online briefing session to explain Korea's COVID-1919 pandemic prevention and overcoming measures, as well as information on innovative and systematic medical procedures.
[Digital healthcare for well-being]
Material: Linecare
In the digital age, medical devices, production systems, and a significant portion of the Internet of Things (IoT) depend on technological advances. Telemedicine contributes to the improvement of work efficiency and convenience of medical workers, workplaces, and institutions, and as medical services develop, medical services are also becoming digital.
Utilization of telemedicine system, which is widespread in Korea, can provide a solution to all hospitals in the Philippines. The Philippines consists of three large islands: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Excluding technological advances such as telemedicine, Manila is also clearly a leader in providing key medical services.
telemedicine system
[Overview of telemedicine system]
Source: Yushin C&C
Advantages of the telemedicine system include improved access to medical services, real-time face-to-face treatment with a doctor in charge, and early detection of diseases and issuance of prescriptions through remote diagnosis. In addition, in case of emergency, it is possible to respond quickly and continuous medical support is possible.
The telemedicine system will provide patients with technology and clinical services as a new and creative way to book appointments. It provides an opportunity for outpatients to receive treatment even if they live in a rural area. In addition, medical records have the advantage of being more systematic, reliable, and accurate.
Utilization of medical industry through blockchain technology
[Blockchain Technology – Use Cases for Medical Industry]
Material: Linecare
The telemedicine system is being accepted as a natural trend with the development of future technology. It is also expected to present solutions to medical conflicts in developing countries (unfair access to medical care, poor digital health infrastructure for rural areas, national Internet support, etc.).
Recently, as the capabilities of the telemedicine system have been expanded, functions such as patient monitoring, electronic prescription issuance, doctor attendance check, health and wellness-related e-commerce service subscription, and even indoor exam schedule confirmation have been added.
Currently, hospitals and research institutes in each country are continuously cooperating with the government for the development of telemedicine, and are working to standardize processes, technologies, protocols, data profiling, etc. Public health includes all municipal and institutional medical activities related to providing universal medical access to citizens and protecting citizens' health, regardless of region or social class.
implication
The COVID-1919 pandemic has had a significant impact on the daily lives of people around the world. In this situation, the government must provide innovative and excellent medical services, such as actively utilizing systemized medical equipment and complying with medical protocols, to resolve the COVID-1919 pandemic.
A Philippine medical equipment company official A said in an interview with KOTRA Manila Trade Center that Korea is providing cutting-edge medical equipment and diagnostic solutions, such as remote medical systems, that can be applied in the Philippines during the COVID-1919 pandemic. The biggest advantage of cutting-edge medical equipment is convenience. He said that doctors can examine patients without face-to-face contact and reduce the risk of viral transmission such as COVID-1919.
With the COVID-1919 pandemic restricting the movement of the general public, the introduction of telemedicine systems and online consultations in the Philippines is expected to be a convenient solution for the general public as well as the transportation-disabled who have difficulty moving, as it is an accessible solution regardless of where the patient lives.
Source: Philippines Philstar, Kangwon National University, Hanyang University, Body Tech Med Co., Ltd., The i Holdings, InBody Co., Ltd., Yushin C&C, etc. KOTRA Manila Trade Center