Cebu City Councilor Pushes for Citywide 24/7 Teleconsultation Network

Strategic Insights -

Councilor Michelle Abella-Cellona has filed an ordinance to establish a citywide 24/7 teleconsultation and emergency referral network, aiming to provide accessible medical services to all Cebu City residents. The proposed program will feature a 24/7 Teleconsultation Service, allowing remote medical consultations via phone, video calls, or online platforms at any time. The initiative aims to deliver immediate healthcare assistance, ensure timely medical interventions, and facilitate the proper routing of emergency cases to appropriate medical facilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed ordinance aims to establish a citywide 24/7 teleconsultation and emergency referral network to ensure accessible medical services for all Cebu City residents.
  • The program will feature a 24/7 Teleconsultation Service, allowing remote medical consultations via phone, video calls, or online platforms at any time.
  • The service will include a dedicated hotline, managed by trained healthcare professionals, who will provide consultations on general health concerns, medical emergencies, and health advice.
  • The Cebu City Government will partner with accredited telemedicine providers to develop and maintain a secure, reliable, and user-friendly platform for residents to access healthcare remotely.
  • The platform will support video calls, voice calls, text chat, and electronic prescriptions where applicable.
  • A 'responsive system' will be established to facilitate the quick transfer of emergency cases from barangay health centers, teleconsultation providers, or other facilities to the appropriate hospitals or medical institutions in the city.
  • The Cebu City Health Department will establish a central coordinating unit to lead the implementation of the initiative.
  • The service will be free of charge for all Cebu City residents, with priority given to low-income individuals, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.
  • The ordinance also mandates the availability of the Cebu City Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 24/7 to pick up and transport patients based on teleconsultation findings or emergency referrals.
  • Penalties for misuse will be implemented, with individuals or entities found to be misusing the teleconsultation or emergency referral system facing fines of up to P40,000.

Statistics:

  • The proposed ordinance aims to cover all Cebu City residents, estimated to be around 915,000 people (Source: National Statistics Office).
  • The teleconsultation platform is expected to support video calls, voice calls, text chat, and electronic prescriptions.
  • The Cebu City Government will partner with accredited telemedicine providers to develop and maintain the platform.
  • The platform will be managed by trained healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and midwives.
  • The Cebu City Health Department will establish a central coordinating unit to lead the implementation of the initiative.
  • The service will be free of charge for all Cebu City residents, with priority given to low-income individuals, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.

Sources:

  • [Source 1] Cebu City Councilor Michelle Abella-Cellona's proposed ordinance for the citywide 24/7 teleconsultation and emergency referral network.