DOH eyes centralized reports from hospitals

CEBU, Philippines - A centralized reporting from hospitals is set to be accomplished by the Department of Health in the coming year.

This is through the Unified Disease Registry Systems.

As soon as the program starts next year, private and public hospitals will regularly submit to an online site the medical institution’s data on diagnosed cases on non-communicable diseases.

The consolidated data will now comprise the localized and national data on lifestyle-related diseases, according to Department of Health-7 Non-communicable Diseases section chief Dr. Jeanette Pauline Arellano.

These diseases include hypertension, diabetes, certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, among others.

This system is powered by Administrative Order No. 2013-0005.

DOH has allotted P2 million in budget for Central Visayas region to implement this, specifically on training hospital information technology personnel and administrative staff.

A roll out training is also set in the region at the end of the year. Arellano said she and the DOH regional IT chief had undergone training of trainers last June under central office.

Each training, she added, is allotted a budget of P200,000 to P250,000.

However, Arellano stressed that while the government intends a holistic profile and database, the administrative order does not impose sanctions to uncooperative hospital although it appeals to their cooperation. (FREEMAN)