Press Release/07 April 2020

The Department of Health (DOH) and the National Privacy Commission (NPC) has developed a framework for telemedicine services in a bid to improve access to health services during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Under the DOH-NPC Joint Memorandum Circular medical consultations over the phone, chat, short messaging service (SMS), and other audio and visual-conferencing platforms are considered telemedicine services in the country. Healthcare providers conducting these consultations are allowed to issue electronic case reports and prescriptions.

“DOH is maximizing the use of technology to connect the public with medical professionals, allowing them to secure medical advice without leaving their homes,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said, adding that “even healthcare workers can avail of these services themselves through DOH-recognized telemedicine providers.”

The DOH COVID-19 Hotlines 1555 and (02) 894-COVID (26843) are available nationwide for all COVID-19 related concerns including consultations with our volunteer-doctors from the Philippine College of Physicians and the University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMC).

Starting April 7, National Capital Region residents will be served by the following free telemedicine hotlines:

• Telimed Management and Medgate hotline: (02) 8424-1724
• Globe Telehealth, Inc (KonsultaMD): (02) 7798-8000 (free for Globe/TM users)

More partnerships are underway and will be announced in the coming days.

The DOH’s collaboration with the NPC is also expected to allay concerns on data privacy and confidentiality. “The DOH-recognized telemedicine providers are registered entities of the NPC. All doctors providing telemedicine services are licensed and certified to provide telemedicine consultations,” Secretary Duque explained.

“This service will greatly decongest our hospitals and minimize risks posedby unnecessary patient traffic,” the Health Chief concluded.