Tabaco City, located in the province of Albay, Philippines, has introduced a groundbreaking innovation in local governance and public health. Supported by its local government and a dedicated team of professionals, the city has launched the Health and Well-Being Dashboard, a first-of-its-kind tool designed to improve public health services, governance, and decision-making. The project has not only garnered local attention but has also received recognition on national and international platforms.
At the heart of this initiative is the city’s commitment to data-driven decision-making to address the evolving needs of its population. The dashboard is an integrated system that consolidates data from multiple sources, including health services, education, and demographic statistics, providing a real-time view of the community’s well-being. By focusing on key indicators from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the dashboard tracks progress over time in areas such as health, education, and employment. This tool serves as a critical resource for local government units (LGUs) and health professionals, enabling them to better allocate resources, plan interventions, and monitor outcomes effectively.
The Health and Well-Being Dashboard: Empowering Decision-Makers and Improving Governance
The creation of the Tabaco City Health and Well-Being Dashboard stems from the pressing need for real-time, accurate, and accessible data to support decision-making. The dashboard serves as a comprehensive tool that synthesizes data from various departments and organizations involved in public health and social services. This integration allows local leaders to monitor the health needs of their community and make informed decisions on a range of issues, from immunization campaigns to disaster response planning.
One of the key features of the dashboard is its ability to provide live data updates, which helps track critical health indicators such as vaccination coverage, disease prevalence, and the availability of essential services like safe drinking water. Real-time data, collected from sources such as the Census-Based Monitoring System (CBMS), the Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS), and local department records, allows decision-makers to respond swiftly to emerging health challenges and allocate resources more effectively.
Moreover, the dashboard facilitates collaboration across various government departments, from health and education to infrastructure and social services. By making data accessible to all relevant sectors, it promotes a more unified and coordinated approach to community development. For instance, when planning for new health centers or allocating funds for disaster preparedness, the dashboard provides valuable insights into population density, health needs, and infrastructure gaps, ensuring that decisions are based on solid evidence.
Real-World Impact: How the Dashboard Improves Public Health Services
During a recent press conference, Maria Rossana Gaytano, an economist and the CBMS focal person for Tabaco City, shared insights into how the dashboard enhances public health services. She emphasized that the dashboard provides timely and accurate data, allowing local officials to identify and address health issues efficiently.
“What’s great about our data is that it’s timely, accurate, and well-maintained. You can retrieve data from previous years to compare it with current figures. This speeds up service delivery because once you identify the numbers, you can take immediate action and allocate budgets accordingly to address specific problems,” Gaytano explained.
One of the dashboard’s most significant benefits is its ability to pinpoint specific health needs in different barangays (neighborhoods). Gaytano highlighted how the tool helps determine the exact number of vaccines required for particular areas, including remote islands or specific barangays. Having this data readily available enables local officials to allocate resources more effectively, ensuring each community receives the appropriate support. For example, in vaccination campaigns, the dashboard allows for accurate dose projections, leading to better planning and budget distribution.
Beyond resource allocation, the dashboard also improves the speed and efficiency of public health services. Gaytano noted that the ability to compare current data with previous years’ records helps track trends and identify urgent concerns. If there is a sudden increase in diarrhea cases in a specific area, for example, the dashboard can pinpoint potential causes—such as contaminated water sources—enabling the city to take swift action, such as providing clean water solutions.
Interview Insights: The Impact on Service Delivery
In an interview with Norianne Brizuela, a nurse from the City Health Office of Tabaco, the real-world impact of the dashboard on public health services was further emphasized. Brizuela explained that the dashboard has significantly improved the way health services are delivered in Tabaco. As a nurse managing the Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS), she highlighted how the dashboard has enhanced data accuracy and timeliness, which is crucial for effective service delivery.
Before the dashboard’s introduction, health data was maintained in Excel files, making it challenging to quickly access and analyze information. Now, with real-time data availability, health professionals can respond to health concerns more efficiently. For example, Brizuela noted that the City Health Office can easily track morbidity cases, such as diarrhea, and identify affected areas promptly. This enables the health team to implement timely interventions, such as providing safe water sources in areas experiencing outbreaks.
Moreover, Brizuela pointed out that the dashboard plays a crucial role in policymaking. She cited the city’s implementation of a mandatory immunization ordinance as an example of data-driven decision-making leading to tangible public health improvements. By comparing actual and projected population data provided by the Department of Health (DOH), the city assessed immunization coverage and identified gaps. This analysis led to the ordinance’s creation, ensuring all children are vaccinated and addressing low immunization rates in the city.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: A Step Toward Universal Healthcare
The Health and Well-Being Dashboard represents a significant step toward achieving universal healthcare in Tabaco City. By providing timely, accurate, and accessible data, the dashboard enables the local government to better understand community health needs and make evidence-based decisions. The tool is particularly useful in identifying underserved communities, tracking health indicators, and ensuring equitable resource distribution.
For example, the dashboard has been instrumental in planning health interventions. In areas where health services are lacking or disease incidence is high, dashboard data helps prioritize resources and interventions, ensuring efficient allocation without neglecting any community.
Additionally, the dashboard monitors the effectiveness of health programs, such as vaccination campaigns and disease prevention efforts. By tracking the number of vaccines administered, health professionals can assess whether programs reach their target populations and make necessary adjustments.
Collaboration and Capacity-Building: Ensuring Dashboard Sustainability
A key factor in the Health and Well-Being Dashboard’s success is the active collaboration between local departments and the community. This multi-stakeholder approach fosters inclusivity and ensures that various sectoral needs are addressed. The city has invested in capacity-building and training to equip stakeholders—including health professionals and policymakers—with the necessary skills to utilize the dashboard effectively.
Furthermore, Tabaco City has collaborated with the Department of Health (DOH) and other national agencies to ensure that data collection aligns with national standards and supports policymaking at higher government levels. This partnership strengthens LGUs’ capacity to respond to public health challenges and contribute to national health goals.
Moving Forward: Expanding the Dashboard to Other LGUs
Looking ahead, Tabaco City plans to expand the Health and Well-Being Dashboard’s use to other LGUs across the Philippines. The city aims to share its experience and best practices, helping other regions implement similar tools to improve governance and public health services.
As part of this effort, Tabaco City seeks national government support, including funding and technical assistance, to ensure the dashboard’s sustainability and scalability. Given its success in enhancing public health outcomes, the city hopes the dashboard will serve as a model for other LGUs, contributing to the achievement of universal healthcare and SDGs nationwide.
Conclusion: A Model for Data-Driven Governance
The Tabaco City Health and Well-Being Dashboard is a pioneering initiative demonstrating the power of data-driven decision-making in public health and governance. By providing real-time, accurate data, the dashboard enables local leaders to respond swiftly and effectively to community needs. It has already made a significant impact on improving health services, addressing community health challenges, and promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
As Tabaco City looks to expand this tool to other regions, the Health and Well-Being Dashboard stands as a model for how local governments can leverage technology and data to improve citizens’ lives. With continued support and collaboration, this initiative has the potential to transform public health services across the Philippines and beyond.
The said program is part of the Sama-sama Inisyatiba para sa Kalusugan ng Taong Bayan sa Universal Health Care program (Sikat sa UHC), initiated by the Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health, and Welfare (PNGOC).I Angela Antivola
Related news: https://bicoldotph.com/2024/03/04/tabaco-city-launches-phs-first-ever-enhanced-cbms/