Aklan Strengthens Digital Health Systems Through ADB Mentoring Program

By Jing Bartolome

KALIBO, Aklan — The Aklan Provincial Health Office (PHO), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), successfully conducted a five-day Mentoring on Local Health Information Exchange from June 29 to July 3, 2026, at the Ati-Atihan Festival Hotel in Kalibo.

The activity gathered health information management personnel, healthcare professionals, and technical staff from various health institutions to enhance the province’s readiness for a more integrated and efficient digital healthcare system. The mentoring sessions focused on strengthening local health information exchange mechanisms that support faster, more accurate, and secure sharing of health data among healthcare providers and government agencies.

Serving as focal person for the activity was Mary Knole Tupas, who coordinated the engagement between ADB experts and local health stakeholders. Through workshops, consultations, and technical discussions, participants explored practical approaches to improving interoperability, data governance, health records management, and digital health infrastructure.

The initiative is aligned with the national government’s continuing efforts to modernize healthcare delivery through digital transformation. By improving access to reliable health information, local health units can make better decisions, enhance patient care, and strengthen disease surveillance and public health response systems.

Participants also discussed strategies for building a sustainable and secure health information exchange network that can support future healthcare innovations and improve coordination among hospitals, rural health units, and other healthcare providers throughout the province.

Officials from the Provincial Health Office expressed appreciation to the Asian Development Bank for its technical support and commitment to advancing healthcare modernization at the local level. The successful completion of the mentoring program marks another significant step toward creating a more connected, data-driven, and patient-centered healthcare system in Aklan.

The Ati-Atihan Festival Hotel served as the venue for the activity, providing a collaborative environment for learning, knowledge sharing, and professional development among healthcare stakeholders.