Introduction to Digital Healthcare in the Philippines
Makati City in the Philippines’ National Capital Region is the first city in the country to put up a round-the-clock digital healthcare system. Based on a news report by the Philippine Information Agency, the city’s health system has fully integrated virtual appointments, telehealth consultations, diagnostics, and EMRs into a single network.
Features of the Digital Healthcare System
"We didn’t just digitise healthcare; we’ve changed how an entire city experiences medical care," Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay-Campos was quoted as saying. The digital health system is underpinned by a health information management system that connects all health facilities and synchronises EMRs, laboratory results, and health data across sources. Residents can also book hospital or clinic appointments around the clock through the city’s virtual queuing management system.
Access to Telehealth and Other Services
24/7 telehealth access is provided by KonsultaMD, which the city has partnered with since 2023. The city’s health system also provides access to AI-powered cancer screening through Makati Life Medical Center, door-to-door medicine delivery, and specialist teleconsultations.
Investment in Digital Infrastructure
The city government set aside P3.47 billion ($61 million) in its budget for healthcare digital infrastructure and services over the past eight years.
The Larger Trend in Digital Healthcare
Outside the capital region, Camiguin, an island province in south Philippines, established a digital health records system called Camiguin Health Information Exchange last year. This comes a year after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for the immediate digitalisation of essential services in the country, including healthcare. Even state health insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. also moved last year to a new digital system, the ePhilHealth platform, to streamline access to its various services.
Private Sector Initiatives
The uptake of digital technologies in Philippine public healthcare is guided by various frameworks and plans, including those provided by the 2013 Philippine eHealth Strategic Framework and Plan and the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Meanwhile, private hospitals are also pursuing digital transformation. Last year, St. Luke’s Medical Center in the capital region went live with its EMR system provided by Altera Digital Health.
Challenges in Digital Healthcare
While the digitalisation of health services in the Philippines has accelerated in recent years since the global pandemic, major challenges persist, particularly the lack of internet connectivity and electricity in rural and remote communities, according to Health Department Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. The Philippines has yet to achieve full internet coverage; nearly 80% of households have been connected to the internet. The same is the case with electricity, though the country is inching close to full electrification, with 93% of households already having it.
Conclusion
The shift towards digital healthcare in the Philippines marks a significant step forward in improving access to healthcare services for its citizens. With continued investment and collaboration between the public and private sectors, the country can overcome existing challenges and achieve a more comprehensive and equitable digital healthcare system.
FAQs
- Q: What is the digital healthcare system implemented in Makati City?
A: Makati City has implemented a round-the-clock digital healthcare system that integrates virtual appointments, telehealth consultations, diagnostics, and EMRs into a single network. - Q: What services are provided through the digital healthcare system?
A: Services include 24/7 telehealth access, AI-powered cancer screening, door-to-door medicine delivery, and specialist teleconsultations. - Q: What are the challenges facing the digitalisation of healthcare in the Philippines?
A: Major challenges include the lack of internet connectivity and electricity in rural and remote communities. - Q: How much has the city government invested in digital healthcare infrastructure?
A: The city government has set aside P3.47 billion ($61 million) over the past eight years for healthcare digital infrastructure and services.
