The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-MIMAROPA in partnership with the Institute of Philippine Culture – Ateneo de Manila University (IPC-ADMU) conducted health-related training and education initiatives recently to support capacity-building efforts and implementation of the National eHealth Program.
Athena Colline Verdey and Paulo Jay De Jesus of DOST-Mimaropa said in an email that the activity was conducted through a webinar and technology-enabled learning methods on “Universal Health Care (UHC) and the Transformations in the Health System: The MIMAROPA Experience”.
The webinar is part of the eHealth Training on Unified Resources Online (eTURO) discussion series entitled “Sustaining the Conversation on COVID-19: How Do We Cope?
“The eturo Webinar Series on Engaging Communities and Networks” or “We CaN!!” that aims to provide relevant information to the public about recent local developments and efforts in the health sector particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to the so-called new normal,” the DOST-Mimaropa said in a press release.
A total of 505 international and local participants took part in the webinar.
The “UHC and the Transformations in the Health System: The MIMAROPA Experience” aims to answer the question “How is the expected Universal Health Care (UHC) implementation in the MIMAROPA region affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?” by allowing some of the tireless frontliners in this battle, the Local Government Units (LGUs), to share their various responses and learnings gained working through the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar also outlined the potential that the COVID-19 crisis offers for building a healthier and safer MIMAROPA region, including the Province of Palawan.
DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director, Dr. Ma. Josefina P. Abilay said that the COVID-19 pandemic became an unprecedented catalyst of change and how the need for innovation is now greater than ever.
She also showcased various DOST-MIMAROPA programs and initiatives implemented such as the deployment of online surveillance system FASSSTER and TanodCOVID, Specimen Collection Booths, and 3D printing of faceshields, among others, to contribute to the COVID-19 response. She also amplified the importance of universal health care in the region to gain access to a full continuum of health services and protecting the people from enduring more financial hardships.
The DOST said that Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. of the Province of Marinduque and Mayor Trina Alejandra Firmalo-Fabic of the Municipality of Odiongan, Romblon served as the key resource persons during the webinar.