State-run Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center initiates a virtual workshop-simulation of Tangguyob: An integrated referral and disaster management system among health-workers and IT specialists from several public health facilities across the province. The referral system is set to be fully implemented on December 1, 2020 and is eyed to strengthen MMMH&MC's health-care provider network with institutions in Ilocos Norte as well as its neighboring provinces. (Photo courtesy of Jazper Quemquem)
City of Batac—As it aims to strengthen the cooperation among health facilities across Ilocos Norte and its neighboring provinces, state-run Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC) in this city is gearing to fully implement a digital integrated referral system on December 1, 2020.
Dubbed as “Tangguyob”, which refers to a local carabao-horn instrument used in the early days to summon people for a tribal meeting or affair, the system was developed through the joint partnership of MMMH&MC’s integrated hospital operation management program unit and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte.
Jhey-ar O. Mangati, MMMH&MC’s health education and promotions officer said the system marks the effort to strengthen the health-care delivery network specifically covering the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Abra, and Apayao, and the south-western part of Cagayan, municipalities located in the northern part of Candon City, Ilocos Sur including Vigan.
“With this project, MMMH&MC’s chief Dra. Maria Lourdes K. Otayza and Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos-Manotoc eyed to implement a more centralized and immediate coordination and referral system among health facilities in providing care vital during emergency health cases, timely and safe-conduct for high-risk neonates, and disaster preparedness and response,” added Mr. Mangati.
On November 19, 2020, MMMH&MC hosted a virtual workshop-simulation to familiarize the participating provincial and district hospitals with the “Tangguyob’s” operating system before its soft-launching on November 23 to 30, 2020.
Among the hospitals which participated in the said activity were the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital in Laoag City, Bangui District Hospital, Dingras District Hospital, Doña Josefa Edralin Marcos District Hospital, Piddig District Hospital, and Vintar District Hospital.
In his opening remarks during the activity, Dr. Jose B. Orosa III, MMMH&MC’s chief of medical professional staff, emphasized the need to integrate the health system across provinces in view of the implementation of Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Law.
Despite noting that the project is still on its initial stage, Mr. Orosa remained hopeful that the integrated referral system will be able to pinpoint areas for improvement in line with service capability and level of responsiveness from the participating government health institutions to provide help and support with one another.
Meanwhile, Dr. Roland Andres, Dingras District Hospital chief of hospital, welcomed the initiative as it will fast-track the referrals coming from local hospitals to MMMH&MC and other health facilities. (John Michael Mugas)