Philippines ramps up digital health initiatives

One of the most pressing issues facing any country is healthcare, especially in developing nations like the Philippines.  

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) has been showcasing healthcare solutions that tap artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality, and intelligent tools in developing innovations that address the country’s critical healthcare gaps, through its Digital and Frontier Technologies for Health (DFTH) Programme.  

Speaking to GovInsider, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Jaime C Montoya says that science and technology play a vital role in building a more inclusive, resilient, and future-ready healthcare system across the country. 

Key innovations include the Immersive Gamification Technology Systems (ImGTS) developed by the Augmented Experience E-health Laboratory (AXEL) of the University of the Philippines Manila, which uses interactive digital environments to support rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy and patients with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Another is the HealthPH project by the National University of Manila, which employs machine learning and natural language processing to monitor real-time respiratory disease trends through analysis of social media posts in multiple local languages. 

Other initiatives include iSULAT, an intelligent and unified handwriting tool developed by the University of Santo Tomas, for early childhood handwriting assessment. 

These technologies are being tested in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to enhance public health response and disease prevention, says Montoya.  

Project implementation and innovation 

“The DFTH Programme supports projects leveraging digital solutions, AI, and emerging technologies to improve healthcare delivery and meet evolving industry needs,” Montoya explains.  

Research proposals are assessed for impact, relevance, technical merit, feasibility, and potential for utilisation.  

For technology-driven initiatives like iSULAT, ImGTS, and HealthPH, evaluations focus on the value proposition, advantages over existing solutions, and the project’s technology roadmap, which covers development, testing, trials, and commercialisation.  

Scalability and long-term sustainability are also key considerations. 

Montoya emphasises that the DOST-PCHRD is not the implementing agency of the ImGTS projects, which are led by Veeda Michelle M Anlacan and Maria Eliza R Aguila of the University of the Philippines’ AXEL Research Group. 

Focused on Alzheimer’s disease and cerebral palsy patients, the projects face challenges in patient recruitment and retention but see opportunities in prototype enhancements, patent applications, and collaborations with groups such as the Dementia Council of the Philippines and the Alzheimer’s Disease Association to boost participant engagement. 

Building capacity for digital health 

Montoya emphasises the engagement of the local government units (LGUs) and healthcare providers to adopt digital health tools in the country through partnerships, training, and deployment programmes.  

Initiatives include eHATID LGU, an offline-capable Android-based medical record system enabling barangay (neighbourhood/village) health workers to record patient data, generate PhilHealth reports, and access health analytics has been adopted by over 450 LGUs with nearly 1,000 personnel trained.  

Another is RabDash DC, a rabies data analytics dashboard for the Davao City Veterinary Office, which consolidates surveillance data to guide evidence-based rabies control strategies.  

The DOST-PCHRD’s TEKI (Technology-Enabled Knowledge and Innovation) in Health Programme further supports adoption by deploying locally developed innovations to priority communities, involving LGUs and stakeholders in their use, validation, and scaling. 

To subscribe to the GovInsider bulletin, click here.

“DOST-PCHRD works to bridge the digital divide by ensuring equitable access to digital health innovations and integrating connectivity technologies into the health system,” Montoya shares. 

Key initiatives include RxBox, a multi-functional device with vital-sign monitoring, an electronic medical records (EMR) system, and teleconsultation capabilities, enabling primary hospitals and rural health units in remote areas to deliver essential care without long patient travel.  

To spur nationwide innovation, DOST-PCHRD also supports HeaRTNovation Hubs in health institutions, hospitals, and universities, serving as local centres for co-developing and adapting health technologies to meet community needs. 

Global positioning and collaboration 

“DOST-PCHRD fosters global collaboration and private sector innovation to advance health technology in the Philippines by partnering with international organisations, supporting local startups, and facilitating cross-border expertise exchange,” Montoya adds. 

Through research grants, innovation hubs, and events like the Philippine Health Research Innovation Matching Event (PHRIME), it connects innovators with partners to accelerate development, validation, compliance, and scaling of health solutions tailored to local needs, he notes. 

DOST-PCHRD sees local innovations in digital and frontier technologies as key to positioning the Philippines within regional and global health tech ecosystems, says Montoya, adding that by supporting research that addresses low-resource health challenges, these Filipino-led solutions can have a global impact.  

The council aids technology transfer through IP services, pre-commercialisation support, spinoff creation, and nationwide innovation hubs.  

Strategic vision and policy alignment 

Montoya envisions transforming the Philippine healthcare system through digitalisation, harnessing AI, big data, and cloud computing to achieve equitable access, even in remote areas.  

Guided by the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Harmonised National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA), and implemented through the Digital and Frontier Technologies for Health Programme in collaboration with the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, it seeks to address national priorities and healthcare gaps.  

Achieving this requires robust policies on data privacy, interoperability, ethics, and financing, supported by adaptive regulations and strong public-private partnerships for infrastructure, training, and deployment.  

Through initiatives like the POLISEE Grant Programme, DOST-PCHRD aims to translate research into evidence-based policies and scalable solutions, fostering a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive health system. 

 “In line with this mission, we invite researchers and institutions to partner with us in 

developing health solutions that address and cater to the needs of the Filipino people,” he ends. 

GovInsider’s 2nd Healthcare Day 2025 convenes healthcare policymakers, tech leaders, and frontline practitioners to share actionable strategies that harness innovation to enhance care delivery, support clinicians, and empower citizens. The event spotlights how digital health solutions, AI-driven insights, and community care models can accelerate Healthier SG’s vision of a resilient, equitable, and tech-enabled healthcare system. Register here >>>