Province in Cebu collaborates with a medical expert from Baguio City
In a significant development, Baguio City's advanced real-time disease surveillance system is set to aid in the strengthening of health services in the Sugbo Province. This collaboration between Baguio City and the Sugbo Province, led by Dr. Donnabel Panes, the city epidemiologist of Baguio, and Dr. Annely Jane Celocia, a national board member of the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, promises to revolutionize disease control and management in the region.
The system, which provides immediate and accurate data on various diseases, including dengue, through a centralized health tracker, will allow local leaders and health workers to quickly report and view accurate information about disease cases. This eliminates the need to contact multiple municipalities for data, streamlining the process and enhancing efficiency.
Cebu Governor Baricuatro has endorsed the modernization of the health care system in Sugbo, and the plan now includes the construction of a real-time disease dashboard for monitoring the 16 provincial hospitals. Public Health Consultant Dr. Elisse Nicole "Nikki" Catalan has expressed her support for adopting the real-time disease surveillance system currently used in Baguio City.
The system integrates health metrics into a real-time dashboard that facilitates efficient tracking and management of disease cases, improving overall public health management. Its effectiveness has attracted replication efforts in other regions like Cebu to strengthen their health services.
The system impacts healthcare by enabling faster detection, reporting, and localized containment of diseases, which reduces disease spread and healthcare burdens. On the economic side, early outbreak detection and control help prevent larger epidemics, thereby mitigating potential economic losses associated with healthcare costs, workforce productivity decline, and disruptions in commerce. The system’s use of modern technology and data analytics enhances informed decision-making for health policies and resource allocation, contributing to both improved health outcomes and economic stability.
However, the spike in data collection resulting from this initiative may cause pressure on the healthcare system. It is necessary to prioritize monitoring and tracking of diseases prone to outbreaks, even if it means additional strain on resources.
Dr. Panes advises the public to be informed about the implementation of Republic Act No. 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, which will further strengthen the surveillance and response to disease outbreaks in the country.
[1] Baguio City Health Services Office. (n.d.). Baguio City Health Services Office. Retrieved from https://www.baguiohealth.gov.ph/
[2] Department of Health - Cordillera Administrative Region. (n.d.). Department of Health - Cordillera Administrative Region. Retrieved from https://www.doh-car.gov.ph/
[4] Panes, D. (2021, February 26). Baguio's real-time disease surveillance system: A model for other regions. The Philippine Star. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/02/26/2086739/baguios-real-time-disease-surveillance-system-model-other-regions
- The real-time disease surveillance system in Baguio City, which has shown great potential in managing medical-conditions like dengue, is being considered for implementation in Cebu to bolster their health services.
- The system's use in Baguio City not only aids in faster detection and reporting of diseases but also enhances economic stability by mitigating potential losses associated with healthcare costs and workforce productivity decline.
- To ensure the successful implementation of the system in Sugbo Province, it is crucial to prioritize monitoring and tracking of diseases prone to outbreaks, even if it puts additional strain on resources.
