Tarlac, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III’s hometown, was chosen to be one of the towns where “WAH” or “Wireless Access for Health” will be first implemented.

This electronic health record system was recently completed in Tarlac. Health clinics in Gerona, Moncada, Paniqui, and Victoria are equipped with computers and 3G wireless technology so that the health workers can access medical records, complete patient consultations and make decisions easily and more accurately.

"We’re grateful that Tarlac was chosen as the first recipient of this project," said Tarlac Gov. Victor Yap during the launch of the project late last month.

He added: "By using technology efficiently, we will improve the lives of more Filipinos."

The WAH offers admission, consultation and treatment services.

"The system’s accurate and timely submission of health data is important in helping the government to identify and prevent disease outbreaks across the Philippines," said Dr. Ricardo Ramos, chief of Tarlac’s provincial health unit.

The WAH project was a joint collaboration of public and private partners such as follows:

Agencies of the Department of Health — the National Epidemiology Center, the Information Management Service and the Center for Health Development (Region 3) — provided guidance on project design and ensured the WAH’s compatibility with the country’s Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS), the major source of data used for policy planning and analysis.

US wireless technology company Qualcomm Inc. provided funding and management through its Wireless Reach initiative, while local telecommunications firm Smart Communications Inc. gave connectivity hardware and other technical support services.

Other partners in the WAH project include RTI International, local government units in Tarlac, Tarlac State University, University of the Philippines (UP) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

"Through affordable 3G wireless technology, timely health information can be transmitted to health care workers, decision-makers and other stakeholders, resulting in happier, healthier communities in the Philippines," said Orlando Vea, Smart Communications chief wireless advisor.

We hope for the success of this project and that this will reach most of the parts of the Philippines because this has long been done by other countries.

Source: ABS-CBN News