MOA with DOST on health care services approved

It was noted that there is a reduction of turn-out of the renewed business licenses as of January 14, 2018, compared to the same period of time a year ago. The low turn-out could be a result of the recent typhoon “Vinta” that struck the city in December. This new legislation was then reviewed and endorsed by the committees on ways and means and on laws and rules, respectively chaired by Councilors George S. Goking and Ian Mark Q. Nacaya. The City Government of Cagayan de Oro, through its healthcare facilities, can now fully provide a better access to life-saving health care services to isolated and disadvantaged communities of the city.

An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10, is enacted after the 18th City Council during its 70th session presided over by Vice Mayor Joaquin Rainier Uy. The implementation of its project is entitled, “Roll-out of RxBox 1000 Telehealth Devices in selected Rural Centers in the Philippines.” The project is part of DOST’s assistance to the City through various sciencebased programs/projects in recognition of its contribution to national government.

Stipulated in the MOA, the DOST shall select healthcare facilities in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and University of the Philippines National Telehealth Center (UP NTHC) and provide one set of RxBox telehealth device to each selected healthcare facility/ ies of the City.

Moreover, it shall facilitate the conduct of training of healthcare facility users on the installation, use/operation and maintenance of the device, its accessories and software thru UP NTHC, check/verify the progress of project implementation in the progress of project implementation, and provide technical support as needed, among others.

Meanwhile, for its part, the City, thru the selected healthcare facilities – shall provide financial, operational, and administrative support in the implementation of the project, establish the guidelines on the use of the device to ensure its efficient and maximum usage, security, and back-up.

Furthermore, it shall likewise designate a team who will be trained as authorized users to operate, manage, maintain, and monitor the device, and provide access to DOST-10 during project visits and monitoring.

This legislation was reviewed and endorsed by the Committees on health, sanitation, heath insurance, and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Maria Lourdes S. Gaane and Ian Mark Q. Nacaya.