NThC attends ACM seminar on Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The NThC attended the second day of the ACM Distinguished Lecture series, "Robotics and Autonomous Systems", given by Michael Jenkin, PhD of York University, Canada. This was held at the Engineering Theater at UP Diliman last February 17.

During the course of the lecture, Dr Jenkin identified three major problems in creating robots, namely:

1. locomotion (how the robot moves)
2. sensing (how the robot measures properties of its environment)
3. reasoning (how the robot transduces measurements into actions)
   

He also identified solutions on the locomotion problem:
* use of wheels
- maximum stair height to be able to climb: less than the radius of the wheel
- ineffective on planet surfaces, especially sand
* use of treads
- involves wheels bound by a belt (much like a construction vehicle)
- can climb and move into tight spaces
* use of legs, fins, or other similar methods
- legged robots are power inefficient and harder to program, but provide dynamic control

He noted that for 'sensing', it is "easy" to collect data, but understanding the data is extremely difficult.

For reasoning, he gave three critical issues:

1. situational reasoning
2. reactivity [speed of response]
3. reasoning about space
   

He also gave some characteristics modern robot applications:

• high cost
• dangerous
• remote
  

Otherwise, hiring people is more efficient to do the work. He gave space exploration as an ideal application for robotics. One example of a space exploration robot is the Russian Lunokhod, which was teleoperated (operated on the earth while the robot is in space). The Lunokhod was intended to operate for 3 months but went on to about 11 months (Dr Jenkin told the audience that the operators got bored, so they tried to make it jump of the cliff, effectively destroying it).

Another application for robots is telemining, used in Canada. This greatly reduces the transport cost of personnel from the ground to the mine area meters below and kilometers [horizontally] from the shaft/opening.

One application related to health includes elder care. He noted that nurses often suffer from work-related injuries, mainly caused by wrong posture while trying to lift a patient. However, robots will have to look harmless, otherwise patients will be scared. Also, there are also robots that emit soft, cuddly noises.

IDRC sits in at E-Lecture between National Telehealth Center and Basco, Batanes

On November 17, 2008 a lecture on Alcohol Abuse and Rehabilitation was given by Dr. Allan Dionisio of the National Poison Management and Control Center from UP-Manila to the Provincial Health Office, PNP, and other government employees and health workers about 800km away in Basco, Batanes. This lecture, an e-learning session aimed at improving health care at the grassroots level, is part of the telehealth program of the UP Manila National Telehealth Center in partnership with the province of Batanes. Using the free software, skype, Dr. Dionisio not only was able to deliver his lecture, but also had a lively question and answer interaction with the audience in Basco. This session is very appropriate since Batanes, with a an approximate population of 17000 is the number 2 consumer of gin nationwide.
While about 12 km from UP Manila, in the Telecommunication Office in Quezon City, at the pilot site of the eSkwela project of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), CICT director for field operations Maria Tess Camba, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada Program Manager (telecentre.org) Florencio Ceballos, OneRoof VP Miguel Raimilla and CICT and e-Skwela managers and learners observed Dr. Dionisio and the audience in Batanes again using the simple technology of the internet through skype. Prior to the lecture, Dr. HR Aujero, Coordinator for Field Operations of the National Telehealth Center introduced to the IDRC, CICT, and eSkwela representatives the initiatives of the National Telehealth Center. Assisted by Project Assistant Al Merca and Research Assistant Engr. Randy Fernandez, a three-point connection was established allowing all sites: National Telehealth Center- Basco, Batanes- Telof to see and interact with each other. Representatives from IDRC and CICT noted the innovative way of sharing knowledge using free software transcending limitations on location and limited connectivity. Afterwhich Mr. Ave Mejia presented the eSkwela project of the CICT which provides ICT-enhanced educational opportunities for out-of-school youths and adults.
Apart from e-learning, the National Telehealth Center, helps Batanes in patient care through e-medicine and in improving patient data management at the Rural Health Unit level through its e-records, CHITS (Community Health Information Tracking System)

NThC orients the new Doctors-to-the-Barrios (Batch 25) about Telehealth Initiatives

Another CHITS Training

October 16-17,2008

The National Telehealth Center conducted another CHITS training for healthcare professionals. The Center for Health Development4A has helped with the facilitation of the said event. It was the first CHITS training held at the Interactive Learning Center of UP Manila. The participants were health workers from Alfonso,Cavite and Real, Quezon.


October 16

The trainees got an introductory orientation of what CHITS is all about. The ever-promising "Cup Game" was again a crowd favorite. Grouped into 4 teams, each team slowly inched their way into building their own respective cup towers. The value of good data collection was emphasized through the cup game. In the afternoon, the 6 basic steps of CHITS were taught using a demo interface. Each of the participants is guided accordingly by the NThC staff.

October 17

Advanced modules of CHITS were introduced and explained into the context of the healthcare worker's work flow in the Rural Health Units. At the end of the training, the online CHITS evaluation tool was accessed and everyone had their own part in scrutinizing the training itself. Good thing that most of the response generated are positive and encouraging.

The Director Featured in Computer World Magazine

CHITS Training at NCC, UP Diliman

CHITS Level 0 Training at National Computer Center, UP Diliman

From left: Ms. Pia Athena Tolentino, RN, Alex I. Gavino, MD, Raymond Sarmiento, MD, Ms. Mercy Nicolas and Mr. Medel Herrera
Below: Ms. Alexandra Belle Bernal, RN

CHITS Training of QC-Barangay Health Workers in NCC

October 6, 2008
The National Telehealth Center conducted a Basic Computer training for CHITS at the National Computer Center.The highlight of the event is the " Cup Game". The Cup game signifies the role of each person in a team with regards to data collection. Each one in the group should be careful,well-coordinated and has a good sense of judgement in pulling and pushing their own yarns for the sake of building the cup tower together. The 5 major characteristics of good data were thoroughly emphasized such as complete,accurate,usable,readable and timely. The BHWs enjoyed the training even though most of them are not computer savvy.


October 10,2008
It is another day for the continuation of CHITS training of BHWs at NCC. The beginner's training was facilitated by Dr. Alex Gavino. The gist of the training was comprised of the 6 basic steps on CHITS. Each of the Barangay Health Workers was assisted step by step(thanks to Dr.Sarmiento, Nurse Xands and Pia). They were trained on how to navigate the CHITS web page and how to handle the patient's records. Most of them were grateful with their acquired computer skills. The training ended with the presentation of certificates and a humble feast.

NThC holds E-Health sessions during the 33rd CME of DttBs

September 30,2008- The second day of the 33rd CME of DttBs held at the Mac Arthur Beach Hotel and Resort was purely intended for the e-health session of the National Telehealth Center. Director Alvin Marcelo started the activity with his lecture on Ethical Issues in Medical Informatics. Common queries on the said topic were discussed and answered appropriately. Dr. Alex Gavino presented the Digital Camera and Teleradiology slides made by Dr. Gerardo Beltran. An interactive session on digital camera use was conducted and the Doctors-to-the-Barrios had a dose of basic digital photography lecture. Dr. Ryan Banez promoted their project-Diamonds on the Rough which acknowledges community doctors serving for 5 years in their respective communities. He also lectured about PubMed on Handheld devices.
Dr.Victoria Samonte- Domain Expert on Pediatrics started the afternoon session with a lecture on Common Childhood Illness. A lecture and workshop on Management of Common Surgical Cases was conducted by Dr. Marcelo. The day’s activity ended with the presentation of certificates to the speakers and the NThC team by the HHRDB.
The event was also an opportunity for the NThC to accept applications from DttBs for the UPMASA-DOH-DttB-UPM ICT Grant wherein a HP Mini-Note Laptop will be given to the deserving Doctor-to-the Barrios on their graduation day. The grant was funded by the UPMASA.

NThC gives talk to UP-SHS students

September 29,2008 - The NThC team conducted a lecture about the 3 major components of the National Telehealth Center. Dr. Alex Gavino discussed the e-Medicine component and the tele-referral system for the Doctors-to-the-Barrios assigned all over the Philippines while Nurse Alexandra Bernal explained the e-Learning component which the primary beneficiaries are the health care workers in the remote areas of the country. Lastly, Nurse Pia Tolentino presented the e-Records component which is mainly the CHITS project.
After the presentation, an open forum discussion was held. Most of the questions that came from the students are about accountability, privacy and ethical issues. The professors and other academicians asked on how they would benefit from the available services of the center specifically the e-learning or tele-mentoring sessions.

Baguio Pre-Centennial Dinner/MOC Signing for CHITS

Last September 1,2008, the Baguio City Government has launched its Pre-Centennial Program with the theme "Fostering a Culture of Caring". In line with this theme, the Baguio Centennial Commission has decided to consider CHITS as one of its pioneer project for Health.

Dr. Alex Gavino and Dr. Francis Sarmiento took the opportunity to advocate the implementation of CHITS by signing a memorandum of commitment between the Baguio Centennial Commission and the National Telehealth Center. Simultaneous with the signing of MOC, a gala dinner was held and we took the chance to converse with different stakeholders.Most of the delegates showed great interest over the project and they are more than willing to help out for the development and implementation of CHITS in Baguio. Hopefully this move will spearhead the promotion of CHITS within Northern Luzon.