Health and Interrelated Content for Rural Communities (Merlita Opena).ppt

Health Content

1. Health [and Interrelated Content] for
Rural Communities
Merlita M. Opena
DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development
Project Manager, ICT4D.ph

2. 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

3. Starting points, endviews
Professional info for professionals
Professional info, repackaged for
communities
Community info for communities;
communities for the world

4. Location
Taguitic, Kapatagan
Legend:
Malingao, Tubod
Jaliobong, Kitcharao
Maguinda, Butuan City
Lanao del Norte
Agusan del Norte
Building on Related Initiatives

5. 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

6. On content development...
Community itself has its own content
– a major source
Networking with content generators
enriches community information
resource

7. On content development...
Use of local dialect hastens
understanding and results to action
Use popular/appropriate language and
format
Communicate proactively

8. Translational research and
Social enterprises
At community levels, part of the greater
community, value chain

9. 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].

10. 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