Manila: Isolated and disadvantaged communities in Oriental Mindoro now have access to better healthcare through the provision of 65 tablet devices from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to barangay (village) health workers and barangay nutrition scholars. In a statement on Wednesday, the DICT said the delivery was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s order to make healthcare more efficient and inclusive.

According to Philippines News Agency, these devices help health workers by enabling faster patient monitoring, health data reporting, and emergency response through digital technology. The initiative aims to provide proper and immediate healthcare to residents in isolated barangays, enhancing the reach and quality of medical services.

The 65 tablets were sent to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in the towns of Baco, Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Gloria, Mansalay, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola, Puerto Galera, Roxas, San Teodoro, Socorro, Victoria, and Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro. The devices were delivered through a partnership among the DICT, the Department of Health offices in Mimaropa, and the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro.

In March, the DICT-Mimaropa began the distribution of 200 tablets to barangay health centers across the region to support teleconsultation and improve access to healthcare in GIDAs. The distribution started in several municipalities in Palawan and Occidental Mindoro before it was expanded to cover Oriental Mindoro.