MMWGH launches online mental health consultation
The Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital (MMWGH) is providing an online mental health consultation for psychological or psychosocial support to Bataan residents.
The Zero Kilometro Bataan COVID-19 Response will prioritise health workers during its pilot launching as they are more prone to stress and anxiety during this crisis, a press release said.
Clients can seek psychological or mental health assistance by messaging the social media platform and after profiling, a Zero Kilometro representative will directly call the client to schedule sessions, the release explained.
Various agencies will carry out sessions and will be responsible for referrals to other agencies that can answer the client’s concern.
The solon provided 10 smartphones, including postpaid plans, to MMWGH personnel who will reach out to clients.
The tele-wellness service is open for Bataenos with zero knowledge about mental health support systems and will cater to everyone as it promotes zero discrimination, the release added.
PhilHealth to automate processes
Government-owned Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently announced its plan to move towards automation by integrating the agency’s information system to streamline processes and prevent fraudulent transactions.
According to a press release, the PhilHealth president, Ricardo Morales, said that the move was because the agency would be able to reduce fraudulent transactions if it had a “perfectly integrated and harmonised information system.”
The department has a larger budget for information technology this year. Several PhilHealth processes are already automated, while some operations are still manually done.
Webinar for TB and COVID-19 prevention
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the Department of Health’s (DOH) National Tuberculosis Programme and the Philippine Heart Center (PHC), have launched a webinar series on infection prevention and control for tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19.
Through USAID’s TB Platforms Project, the webinar series on “Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for TB and COVID-19” engages medical personnel, administrative and support staff to ensure the continuous provision of TB services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first run of the webinar successfully trained 800 PHC staff and has attracted 200 more.
Participants got to raise concerns and discuss the proper handling of personal protective equipment (PPEs), proper use of masks, social distancing in the workplaces, availability of support for those who will get infected while on duty, as well as peer support.
USAID’s TB Platforms will meet with the management of PHC to provide capacity building on sustainable TB screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The project will also monitor the full implementation of IPC in the health facility during the community quarantine and will provide continuous support, as necessary.
Representatives from the DOH NTP, World Health Organisation, Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis, and Philippine Information Agency also participated in the discussion.
TanodCOVID
The Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with various government agencies, has created TanodCOVID, an SMS-based self-screening website that encourages communities to report their COVID-19 related symptoms to empower local government units to identify hotspots for suspected and probable cases.
It will provide definite and exact information about COVID-19 to the public in a more approachable manner, a press release said. DOH-10 aims to leverage technology to educate the public with accurate information through online platforms to promote COVID-19 health protocols and safety standards.