USA kicks off 2024 WVHRDC webinar series

Dr. Romulo J. De Castro, Director of the Center for Informatics and a DOST Balik Scientist from the University of San Agustin (USA), presented his research titled, “The Atipan Project – A Digital Health Strategy Towards Universal Health Care (UHC)” during the 2023 Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (WVHRDC) January Webinar on January 26 at 1:30 PM via Zoom and Facebook Live.

The Atipan Project is a digital health strategy aimed towards providing health services to marginalized and vulnerable Indigenous and rural communities in Western Visayas, Philippines which emphasized the implementation of telehealth in the partner communities, outputs, potential in realizing Universal Health Care (UHC) in the region, and moving forward towards sustainability.

Four hundred two (402) participants from various member and non-member organizations of the consortium participated in the said activity which was moderated by Dr. Pia Regina Fatima C. Zamora-Rico, a post-doctoral researcher and the Atipan Telehealth Coordinator & Physician from the University of San Agustin.

To sustain the project, Dr. de Castro explained that they will continue the ATIPAN project for the next three (3) years with the help of the acquired funding from the government of Canada. He also added that they are also partnering with local government units by developing two (2) memoranda of agreements in Iloilo and one (1) in Antique and by providing funding to help support the local health coordinators. The Department of Health Region VI also supports the project by providing free medicines and diagnostic support for the program.

The WVHRDC will hold monthly webinars from January to September 2024 to disseminate health research results to users of the information and to serve as a venue for knowledge sharing between WVHRDC member organizations. The webinars are scheduled on every last Friday of the month at 01:30 p.m. to 03:00 p.m.

The full recording of the January Webinar can be accessed through this Facebook link: https://fb.watch/q0aNaSmaAO/.