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.

BOAC COMMUNITY CRIME AND EMERGENCY TEXT HOTLINE

Text or call Number 0920-2494-111 to report crime and emergency

The municipality had already launched a Text Messaging Hotline to enable every family to have a direct contact with the Boac Police Station to report crime or emergencies. The Text Messaging or Call Service is available 24/7 for people to leave information that can be acted upon by the Boac Police Force or the Boac Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council. As well as being quick and easy to use, information can be left in complete confidence, without texters or callers having to leave their personal details, unless they specifically wish to do so. The Boac Police Station is also currently maintaining a logbook wherein all information will be officially recorded including the cellphone number of the source of information for further verification.
 

This Text Messaging Service is the initiative of Mayor Meynardo B. Solomon as part of his Lakas ng Barangay Program. This new service is an additional means for people to contact their Local Police Force.

Information Billboard highlighting the initiative had been sponsored by Smart Communication and set-up in various strategic areas of the municipality. The Text Messaging Service is also highlighted at the GABAY KALIGTASAN NG PAMILYA which was distributed in various barangays.

GABAY KALIGTASAN NG PAMILYA
 

The Municipal Mayor, Meynardo B. Solomon, had designed a simple yet effective model Family Based Disaster Preparedness Plan which was based on years of experience in Disaster Management. The GABAY PARA SA KALIGTASAN NG PAMILYA is an understandable (tagalog version) leaflet, sustainable and in accordance with local needs and settings.

At present disaster preparedness effort being supported by national agencies is focused on the provincial and municipal level. It is important to realize that during an emergency, the barangay residents are the first responders. In order to get the communities involved in risk management it is critical to convince them of the importance of disaster preparedness, mitigation and prevention. In this new approach the municipality had launched a massive awareness campaign of making families understand their vulnerabilities, actions to be taken to prevent and mitigate disaster, and the roles they could play in managing risk without immediately relying on local government entities.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT CENTER

Incident Management Center (IMC) had been established by the Boac MDCC with the primary objective to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from major disasters and other emergencies. It is a single, comprehensive approach to Municipal Incident Management. The objective of the Boac MDCC is to ensure that all levels of government located within the municipality have the capability to work efficiently and effectively together. It is a unified approach to Incident Management, standard command and managements structure; and emphasis on preparedness, mutual aid and resource management. The IMC is a Multi-Disciplinary Entity composed of various national and local agencies including the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection and other responder organizations. During disaster the IMC is situated at the Municipal Building under the command and supervision of the Municipal Mayor. The IMC is also activated during special activities where a large gathering of people is expected such as Regional Athletic Meet and Lenten Rites Celebration.

Emergency Response Unit (ERU) had been organized and trained in Disaster Management including standard First Aid Training. It is a composite team from the Boac Municipal Official and Employees, Boac Police Station, Bureau of Fire Protection and other Non-Government Organization such as REACT Philippines Inc. Morion Group and MARINDUCARE. A support team from Boac Police Force and from the Charlie Company 74th IB of the Philippine Army has also been organized to back-up the ERU during disaster and other emergency operations.

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