DoH to create digital health repository

EVERY Filipino’s medical record will be stored in a centralized database as part of the country’s continued push for universal health care, according to a ranking official of the Department of Health (DoH).

Dr. Enrique Tayag, director of DoH’s Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service, said setting up the National Health Data Repository is in line with the implementing rules and regulations of the Universal Health Care Law that requires every Filipino’s medical record to be submitted to the DoH and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

Tayag told a media forum on Thursday the “digital transformation” in the DoH aims to allow the use of information technology or IT as an aid in the country’s overall health care response.

He assured the public that the information sent to the National Health Data Repository will be safe and secure and will not be used for other purposes except for patient identification, especially in telemedicine.

Aside from the DoH and PhilHealth, the National Health Data Repository will also tap data from other organizations and agencies such as the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to quickly allow patients to choose their doctor or health care provider through personal appointment or telemedicine.

“Kun gm ayro ont a yong National Health Data Re po sit ory,sa isangp in dot lang, ala mn y on aang imp or mas yo nna‘y an( If we have a National Health Data Repository, you can get the information in a single click),” Tayag said.