DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, July 1 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here turned over RxBox biomedical devices to the towns of La Libertad and Bindoy on June 24 to help their health workers in the fight against COVID-19.

DOST Provincial Director Atty. Gilbert Arbon said the biomedical device is one of three components of the DOST’s RxBox program, which is part of a “Smarter Philippines” initiative.

The other two components include an electronic medical record system and telemedicine training.

The RxBox sets were received by Dr. Louie Jay Amante of La Libertad Rural Health Unit (RHU) and Bindoy RHU head Dr. Estela Tuse in separate occasions. 

Amante expressed his appreciation and looks forward to using the equipment in a barrio setting where basic laboratory and diagnostic tests are not readily available.

“The RxBox for me is the epitome, an example of ingenuity where you combine the ECG and CTG and other monitoring devices into one, what we call the RxBox,” said Amante.

Both the medical doctors said the use of these devices will strengthen their diagnostic procedures or help ease their medical services at the grassroots level.

The medical and information technology staff of the two RHUs attended an online orientation on RxBox and Super User Training conducted by the DOST Region 7.

During the training, the medical staff practiced using the devices with real patients.

Arbon said the RxBox unit captures medical signals through built-in medical sensors, stores data in an electronic medical record system, and transmits health information via internet to a clinical specialist in the Philippine General Hospital.

The device consists of six instruments of blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, electrocardiogram, fetal heart monitor, maternal tocometer, and temperature sensor.

DOST has identified initially 16 LGUs as RxBox recipients in the province, mostly areas far from Dumaguete City or those without hospitals. (JCT/PIA Negros Oriental)