Health [and Interrelated Content] for Rural Communities

Merlita M. Opena

DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development

Project Manager, ICT4D.ph

Takeoff points

Health R&D Information Network Databases and Information Resources

e-Health Portal Multipurpose Community Telecenter in four

barangays Telehealth [health worker-health worker;

health worker to patients and communities] ICT4D.ph – farmers info, rice doctor, distance

learning, e-Commerce,… Translational research and social enterprises

Starting points, endviews

Professional info for professionals Professional info, repackaged for

communities Community info for communities;

communities for the world

Location

Taguitic, Kapatagan

Legend:

Malingao, Tubod

Jaliobong, Kitcharao

Maguinda, Butuan City

Lanao del Norte

Agusan del Norte

Building on Related Initiatives

On content development...

Information need is an evolving concern; health relates with other content (education, agri, livelihood,...)

Content/resources/applications should respond to the community’s needs

On content development...

Community itself has its own content – a major source

Networking with content generators enriches community information resource

On content development...

Use of local dialect hastens understanding and results to action

Use popular/appropriate language and format

Communicate proactively

Translational research and Social enterprises

At community levels, part of the greater community, value chain

Notes

In the final analysis, the community should benefit. Layers in between should be

minimized and limited to facilitation and capacity building.

We don’t want the middleperson to take the centerstage leaving the community we want to serve marginalized [as in most projects].

Some Thoughts

Empowering communities

Allowing grassroots networking

Power of bottom-up approaches

Be[at the]side, let the communities recognize and act on their potentials to solve their

problems