Misamis Oriental hospitals perform 'mobile surgery'

Hospitals in Misamis Oriental have undertaken a "mobile surgery" project that allows patients in the province to consult specialists in Cagayan de Oro City using a webcam. Dr. Maximo Simbulan, head of the Mindanao consortium of surgeons, said the Misamis Oriental provincial government's "Mobile Surgery Services Project" uses wireless technology to help patients consult specialists without having to travel to Cagayan. Simbulan said the information gathered from the online consultations are sent using 3G phones to members of the mobile surgery team of the provincial health office. He said these pre-operation preparations have helped improve the delivery of surgery services in Misamis Oriental. The project was an initiative of the Misamis Oriental provincial government, led by Governor Oscar Moreno and Dr. Ignacio Moreno, head of provincial health operations. The project was under the Misamis Oritental government's "Investment Plan for Health" program which included the rehabilitation of the province's seven hospitals, the upgrading of facilities, and the improvement of medical services. The local government's project partner, SMART Communications, Inc., provided internet access and mobile phones for the project. All of the seven hospitals in the province were given a one-year internet connectivity. - VVP, GMANews.TV