Dialysis, chemotherapy and x-ray services will be made available in Quezon City health centers starting next year.
Initially, these services will be offered at the health centers in Barangays Toro Hills, Novaliches, Commonwealth, Escopa and Kamuning.
“The city government is ready to expand the services extended by QC health centers,” said Mayor Herbert Bautista.
Expansion of QC health services will also include acquisition of additional laboratory testing facilities, hiring of pathologists and construction of additional health centers.
To date, QC has about 63 health centers, seven super health centers and lying-in clinics and three social hygiene clinics.
Mayor Bautista bared the city’s plan during the unveiling of the P8.5 million Community Health Information Tracking System (CHITS) at the QC Hall to help improve the delivery of basic health care services to city residents, especially the poor, through the introduction and use of information and communications technology in the management of QC health programs and services.
The QC government has partnered with the University of the Philippines, through its constituent university, UP – Manila (UPM) and its National Telehealth Center (NTHC), for the establishment of a web-based health record management system in all 72 QC health care facilities, including health centers, lying-in clinics, social hygiene centers and microscopy centers.
The University of the Philippines, through UP-NTHC is CHITS’ sole and exclusive service and maintenance provider.
A memorandum of agreement between Mayor Bautista and UP President Alfredo Pascual was signed at the QC Hall Bulwagan to formalize the implementation of the city’s e-Health program.
“This project is part of my overall plan to harness information technology as a tool to strengthen and secure services to our local constituents. Emphasis is made to use this tool as a cornerstone for the various delivery modes of our services,” the Mayor said.
Meanwhile, city health officer Dr. Antonieta Inumerable said the computerization of city health records will also prove vital in the monitoring of trends in the spread of communicable diseases in Quezon City. “Magkakaroon na po tayo ng early intervention para sa ganitong mga karamdaman,” Inumerable said.
As provided under the agreement, the QC Information Technology Development Office (QCITDO), headed by Engr. Reynald Paul Imjada, shall oversee the data maintenance, and eventually, the supervision of the CHITS program.
The QC council provided support for the project through Ordinance No. SP-2070, S-2011. The measure underscored the importance of establishing a computer-based record system to facilitate the easy retrieval of records of patients seeking consultation in all QC health care facilities.
Councilor Raquel Malañgen also provided computers to health centers located in District IV in line with the councilor’s effort to provide her constituents with better health care services. Precy/ Ej, PAISO, QC
