Leveraging a national telehealth system to increase rural access to to healthcare services in the Philippines
Rural areas across the Philippines are geographically isolated and have limited medical resources. As a result, people in these areas can not access the healthcare they need. Access to medical specialists, who may only practice in larger urban areas, is often not affordable or accessible for most people in rural areas.
Problem Statement
People in rural areas are unable to see specialist doctors due to geographic isolation and socioeconomic factors.
Context
In the Philippines, approximately 50% of municipalities are considered geographically isolated and economically disadvantaged. There is an inadequate number of medical providers in these regions. Access to specialists, concentrated in urban centers, is particularly difficult. This means that they have limited access to healthcare services.
Factors within the Problem Situation
- Access to specialized care is limited by cost, resources, and personnel
- Rural communities are geographically isolated from medical centers
- Rural healthcare provides can not provide the specialized medical services available in urban areas
Implementers/Actors/Stakeholders
- Community members and community leaders affected by this project with consideration of gender dynamics and other community-based dynamics
- Local leaders (faith based, tribal, educational, and community based) that could reach isolated communities in alternative ways
- Health officials at every level of government
- Workers that understand land management dynamics
- Other NGOs and domestic organizations working in this area or related areas
- Donors that fund these operations
- Politicians, civil society, and other stakeholders that influence policy on rural communities, land management and health within the country
Intervention
The National Telehealth Systems provides telehealth care from specialists via communication with local doctors. Using technology like short-messaging systems and email, specialists are able to communicate with rural healthcare providers to support patients in their need for specialized care. This reduces the need for in-person consultations that require travel and high costs.
Additional Information
Juban et al. (2020). National Telehealth System, Philippines.
National Institutes of Health. (2024). National Telehealth Center.
Journal of Global Health Reports Collado ZC. Challenges in public health facilities and services: evidence from a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area in the Philippines. Journal of Global Health Reports. 2019;3:e2019059. doi:10.29392/joghr.3.e2019059
