The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is expected to deploy RxBox telehealth devices to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in Cagayan Valley.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the DOST-II will be deploying first 12 units of RxBox devices which were received from Ionics EMS, Inc. to Rural Health Units (RHUs) classified as under GIDAs.
“This will support maternal-and-child health, management of cardiovascular diseases and among others,” he said during his weekly report on Friday, Oct. 1.
He said the RxBox devices will undergo a Clinical Acceptance Test (CAT) to ensure its accuracy. The test will be conducted by the DOST-II’s RxBox Regional Management Team (RMT).
“The Clinical Acceptance Test is the final evaluation of each RxBox package before its deployment to the clinical end-users’ primary care health professionals in the targeted RHUs,” the DOST chief said.
De la Peña said the initiative aims to provide healthcare technologies for every Filipinos allowing them to access better documentation, diagnosis, and support for patient care across a distance.
“It is also one the DOST’s efforts to bridge the gap among RHUs in the GIDAs and to bring S&T services closer to the people,” he added.