ARMM distributes Android tablets to LGUs for accurate health info

COTABATO CITY– To improve the efficiency and transparency of health information in the region, the Department of Science and Technology in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOST-ARMM) has distributed Android tablets with eHATID” application to local government units (LGUs).The eHATID is a software application for Android tablets offering real-time access to health information among LGUs and medical doctors. Mon-Em Abangad, DOST-ARMM information officer, said the provision of the tablet falls under the agency’s eHATID LGU project (eHealth TABLET for Informed Decision-Making of LGUs). The DOST-ARMM provides two Android tablets for each LGU, one of which will be used by the Local Rural Health Units. The project is free of charge and we initially targeted a total of 70 LGUs in ARMM as beneficiaries,” said Abangad.As of date, a total of 61 LGUs in the region already benefited from the project.Abangad encouraged other LGUs to avail of the project the first step of which, is to submit a letter of intent to the agency. Once the LGU has submitted its letter of intent duly signed by the local chief executive, DOST-ARMM will assess the (LGU’s application) based on selection criteria,” said Abangad. To be eligible, the LGU must comply with the following* local chief executive support for innovations* presence of development-oriented projects in the LGU* responsive health sector and* internet connectivity and technical readiness.The project provides health information system support through an online and offline Electronic Medical Record that generates particular health reports for the Department of Health and Philippine Health Insurance Corp.” It aims at improving efficiency and transparency among stakeholders using an enhanced health information system model that promotes health information convergence and informed decision-making.”The eHATID LGU data are synced to a central database via cloud facilities of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute of DOST. The system has security protocols that are strictly implemented to comply with the policies and program requirements for data security, privacy and confidentiality.