Kalinga to test DOH's SPEED project

By Peter A. Balocnit

Tuesday 3rd of July 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, July 3 (PIA) - - The Department of Health (DOH) expanded its Surveillance in Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (SPEED) to six regions in the country including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The Center for Health Development (CHD) here will conduct SPEED simulation exercises on July 17-19 to test the capability of the system in the area.

CHD team head Dr. Bernadette Andaya said the three-day dry run will test the knowhow of trained personnel of rural health units (RHU) and hospitals on the operation of the system, and measure their responsiveness on post disaster reporting via the internet.

“The launching of the SPEED project of DOH, developed as an early warning system during emergencies and disasters, is one of the highlights of the celebration of the Disaster Consciousness Month this July,” Andaya said.

SPEED, according to the DOH, is an early warning disease surveillance system for post-disaster situations. It detects early potential disease outbreaks and monitors trends of priority health conditions thereby reducing deaths and diseases through timely and appropriate response by chief executives and program planners.

The SPEED project which uses web-based software, can receive data via short message services. It is supported free by Globe and Smart companies, and SPEED has its own website which can be accessed through a code book, Andaya said.

DOH had earlier turned over logistic support and equipment such as the Broadband Global Access Network (BGAN), training and information, education and communication materials for this project. The BGAN is a global satellite internet network that provides communication access even when other networks fail in an emergency.

She said 11 computer units were also given to all RHUs in Kalinga to be used in reporting to the DOH central office.

SPEED Phases 1 and 2 were made possible with funding support from Australian Government Overseas Aid Program, USAID, and the Government of Finland through the World Health Organization, Andaya explained. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)