Marikina Health Centers Receive 19 RxBox Telehealth Devices from DOST-NCR

Author: Juelrick Rodriguez Published: May. 09, 2023

Marikina City’s Health Centers received 19 new units of the RxBox Telehealth devices from the DOST-NCR as part of the agency’s initiatives to provide advance healthcare services for a “Smarter Philippines”. The medical units were turned over by the DOST-NCR’s PAMAMARISAN Clustered Area Science and Technology Office (CASTO) staff to Marikina City officials during the flag raising ceremony last 8 May 2023 at the Freedom Park, Marikina City Hall grounds. These units will be distributed to the 18 health centers of Districts I and II, and 1 unit for the City Health Office.

The RxBox is a telehealth device which is designed to improve healthcare services in the country with its 6-in-1 capability as a blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, electrocardiogram, fetal heart monitor, maternal tocometer, and temperature sensor.

The Memorandum of Agreement for the turnover of the devices was signed during the same morning with DOST-NCR Officer-in-Charge Engr. Romelen Tresvalles, 1st District of Marikina Representative Congresswoman Marjorie Ann Teodoro, and Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro. Also at the MOA signing were Regional Director Dr. Aleli Annie Grace P. Sudiacal of the Department of Health- Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD), and Marikina City Health Officer Dr. Albert Herrera.

In her message, Engr. Tresvalles stated that the DOST-NCR is continuously working with the LGU of Marikina on further initiatives and projects for the city and its residents, assuring them that “We will be one with you in pushing science and technology-based development in all levels of our society”.

For her part, Congresswoman Teodoro thanked the DOST-NCR for the RxBox units saying that “through these devices, we can bring the healthcare services closer to people, especially those in the barangay level”. She also signified her office’s interest in doing more collaborative projects with the agency.

Dr. Sudiacal affirmed that “technological innovations like the RxBox will really help us deliver our health services to socio economically disadvantage areas here in NCR”. She likewise thanked the DOST-NCR and the City of Marikina for being open to this innovation in the pursuit of achieving universal healthcare by providing quality healthcare services.

Prior to this turnover, one (1) unit of the RxBox was already given to the Barangay Tumana Health Center in June 2022.