The Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) recently turned over RxBox units to Siquijor province. 

DOST Siquijor Provincial S&T Director Engr. Mario de la Peña handed over the equipment to Gov. Zaldy Villa in a symbolic ceremony. 

A briefing on the equipment was also done at the Office of the Governor, Polangyuta, Siquijor, Siquijor.

RxBox is a project of DOST together with the Philippine Council of Health Research and Development and the University of the Philippines-Manila National Telehealth Center to promote for a “Smarter Philippines.” 

It is also an Information Communications Technology innovation designed to support the Department of Health’s (DOH) call for Kalusugan Pangkalahatan or Universal Health Care. 

DOH and DOST identified four qualified rural health units (RHUs) in the province for the deployment of the devices together with the components, namely: Enrique Villanueva RHU and Birthing Center, Lazi Health Center, Maria RHU, and San Juan RHU.

Two of the four RxBox units have been deployed to Lazi Health Center and Enrique Villanueva Rural Health Unit and Birthing Center. 

Health workers of both RHUs underwent trainings and passed rated return demonstrations. 

Meanwhile, RHU San Juan is set to receive one RxBox unit on June 29, 2021. 

Their personnel will be trained on June 29 to 30, while RHU Maria has yet to schedule with DOST for the training of their staff and turnover of the equipment.  (Engr. Joelline Ann D. Ates/SRA & IO-designate/DOST Siquijor PSTC S&T Media Service)