TO PROVIDE more immediate care for Taguigeños and protect frontliners using technology while battling Covid-19, the Taguig City Government has launched Telemedicine, a program that allows residents to inform doctors and medical workers of their medical concerns without going to the hospital or health center.
Though all 31 health centers and three Super Health Centers remain operational, Taguig residents can now seek medical assistance from the confines of their homes, and receive medicines at their doorstep to lessen mobility during quarantine.
Through this, consultations are done online or through text. Health workers also deliver medicines to the doorsteps of the residents and medical services like immunization is also done house-to-house.
According to Mayor Lino Cayetano, the idea is to ensure people strictly do the required home quarantine, and to prevent them from congregating in areas in violation of social distancing protocols.
Telemedicine also ensures health workers are protected.
"We want to make sure the health of Taguigeños remains protected amid this Covid-19 pandemic," Mayor Lino said.
To avail of the Telemedicine program, residents would need to contact the designated Telemed contact number for their barangay, which is manned by personnel from the City Health Office (CHO). They will accept texts from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In case of emergencies, residents can go to the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital.
After getting all the details and clarifications, the City Health Office refers the case to the doctor, nurse or midwife, who will then determine the course of action, and text or call the patient to give instructions. All 31 health centers and three Super Health Centers are also equipped to do teleconsultations as needed to minimize physical contact.
If the case was classified as a person under monitoring for Covid-19 or a person under investigation, all protocols on Covid-19 shall be followed.
If medicine is needed, the doctor, nurse or midwife shall give instructions for the delivery of the medicine or other health needs to the house of the patient.
Only two barangay health workers will deliver the medicine, which shall be placed on a chair outside the patient's home. The medical worker shall also determine whether the patient needs further medical evaluation in a health center or hospital.
Aside from this, Taguig City also piloted on Thursday the Telemedicine program in one barangay that used iMacs and Android phones. Using this technology, people who are not feeling well or sick may get their consultations via video call on a cellphone. This is expected to be rolled out to all 28 barangays next week.
"Rest assured that we will continue to find innovative ways to ensure the welfare of our people," Mayor Lino added.
Aside from the Telemedicine initiative, the Taguig City local government has conducted house-to-house distribution of medicine and other health services to protect residents against Covid-19.
Health workers make rounds in all barangays to deliver maintenance medicines for diabetes, hypertension and asthma, TB and HIV medicines, as well as reproductive commodities like birth control pills.
Immunization is also done house to house.
Through this, residents do not need to go to their health centers helping them avoid contracting illnesses such as Covid-19.
Health workers who deliver these medicines and services to the community all wear mask and have alcohol with them. They also follow social distancing protocols when delivering medicines and medical services. (PR)