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BOAC
TELERAD: AN INNOVATIVE HEALTH SOLUTION FOR BOAKEÑOS
In the past years,
patients who were advised to undergo laboratory tests (x-rays or
ultrasound) have to go to laboratories in nearby towns and
sometimes even to Lucena or Metro Manila. This was due to the
absence of a radiologist/sonologist practicing in the province.
Recognizing the need
for the speedy delivery of basic services, the Municipal
Government of Boac (capital town of the island of province of
Marinduque) took into consideration the use of ICT as an
important tool in providing health services to its constituents.
It was then that Mayor Meynardo B. Solomon instructed the
Municipal Planning and Development Office and the Municipal
Health Office through Dr. Arlene Nebreja to study or find ways
on how images generated from the ultrasound and x-ray machines
can be interpreted using the internet. A technical team was
formed composed of EnP Manrique, as team leader, Dr. Arlene L.
Nebreja and Engr. Jacob Montevirgen ECE as members. Full
authority was given by the Municipal Mayor to the team to
coordinate and consult with experts on the technical aspect of
the project.
Right after the
re-election of Mayor Solomon, the BOAC TELERAD (short
for the Boac teleradiology) was
established at the Dr. Pablo Marquez Health and Diagnostic
Center in Boac, Marinduque.
teleradiology
is a technical process for the electronic transmission
of radiological
patient images such as x-ray and ultrasound from one location
to another for the purpose of
interpretation and/or consultation.
The Boac Telerad is
an image sending station which has the following equipment,
service facility and manpower:
1. One computer set with internet (DSL) connection.
2. Image (film) digitizer and Video capture device.
3. A Licensed Associate in Radiologic Technology
4. On-call Engineer from the MPDO.
The Boac Telerad
sends videos or radiological patient images through the use
of the internet. These images or videos together with the
patient’s information are uploaded to a secure server and can be
accessed by authorized doctors anywhere in the world for review
and diagnostic. Below is the basic configuration being used:

The Municipal Mayor,
through the full support and authority given by the
Sangguniang Bayan of Boac, had entered into a Memorandum of
Agreement with Dr. Jeremias Gonzales, a Licensed
Radiologist and a Fellow on Nuclear Medicine, for the review
and evaluation of radiological patient images. Dr. Gonzales is
also one of the proponents in the operation of the Boac Telerad. |