Gavino, Cherylle Garcia <br/><br/>
Telemedicine as a tool in strengthening local health system :   the Sabtang, Batanes paradigm / 
Cherylle Garcia Gavino. 
 - ix, 80 leaves : color illustrations 
<br/><br/>
<br/><br/>Graduate School of Public and Development Management 
<br/><br/> Immediate access to quality health services is one of the health outcomes that the Philippines aims to achieve. This is a challenge to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, and to far-flung island communities like the province of Batanes. With the advent of information and communication technology for health, available resources both at the local and national levels need to be mobilized to address the gap in quality health care service delivery.  Therefore, this paper utilized telemedicine to bridge the aforementioned gap in the Municipality of Sabtang through partnership with University of the Philippines Manila and the Department of Health. Furthermore, this case explored the development of a cost-efficient system for telemedicine in the locality.  Survey, desk review, and focused group discussion were employed in this case to facilitate the development of a tailored-fit telemedicine system in the municipality. Policy instruments were crafted to underscore the establishment of such sustainable system. Moreover, the local officials have approved and implemented the proposed system.  Hence, this case was successful in the development and establishment of a telemedicine system that ensured immediate delivery of quality health service befitting for every Ivatan in Municipality of Sabtang, Batanes. 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>Telecommunication in medicine.<br/>Telemedicine.<br/>Socioeconomic factors.