Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda has proposed an ordinance that sought to establish the Covid-19 Home Management with a telemedicine system in the city.
The Covid-19 Home Care Management includes a home care kit, which may contain vitamins, an oximeter, oxygen tank, and other needs, as determined by the physician/medical officer-in-charge or on duty.
The telemedicine system is a remote medical consultation service by means of electronic and telecommunications technologies, such as phone call, chat or short messaging services (SMS), and audio and video-conferencing to deliver healthcare.
According to the ordinance, telecommunication acts as a case management system, which ensures a continuing care and guidance on a patient’s health condition. It is also considered to be a critical intervention in the management of Covid-19 cases especially in these times when the infection rate is escalating all over the country.
The local government unit has put up isolation facilities for confirmed patients with mild to moderate symptoms or are asymptomatic in response to the overwhelming number of Covid-19 cases that has surpassed hospital bed capacity.
Tabanda said suspected and confirmed Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms can do home isolation, upon evaluation and determination of health authorities. She said the proposed homecare management with a telemedicine system will help prevent the decongestion of the city’s health facilities.
The Health Services Office (HSO) shall be tasked to lead in the implementation of the ordinance and shall prepare and implement a comprehensive program which includes psychological and mental health support for patients.
Funds for this purpose shall come from any available sources of the city. Succeeding funds shall be included in the annual budget of the HSO.
The proposed ordinance has been referred to the committee on committee on health and sanitation, ecology, and environmental protection following its approval on first reading. – Kimberly Badang
