In recent years, Marinduque patients advised to undergo laboratory tests (x-rays or ultrasound) had to go to laboratories in nearby towns and sometimes even to Lucena or Metro Manila. This was due to the absence of a radiologist/sonologist practicing in the province.

Recognizing the need for speedy delivery of basic services, the municipal government of the capital town of Boac considered using ICT in filling the health
services gap.

Mayor Meynardo B. Solomon instructed the Municipal Planning and Development Office and the Municipal Health Office through Dr. Arlene Nebreja to explore how images generated from ultrasound and xray machines could be interpreted using the Internet.

A technical team was formed but it was during the 3rd Knowledge Exchange Conference sponsored by the National Computer Center in Cebu last September 27-29, 2006 and from various visits of Dr. Alvin B. Marcelo of the UP Telehealth Center that the idea of teleradiology was born.

TELERADIOLOGY is a technical process for the electronic transmission of radiological patient images such as x-ray and ultrasound scans from one location to another for the purpose of interpretation and/or consultation.

Following Mayor Solomon’s re-election, the BOAC TELERAD (short for Boac Teleradiology) was established at the Dr. Pablo Marquez Health and Diagnostic Center in Boac, Marinduque.

The Boac Telerad is an image sending station first established and located at the Boac Community eCenter established through NCC’s eLGU project. It has the following equipment, service facilities and manpower:

1. One computer set with Internet (DSL) connection
2. Image (film) digitizer
3. Video capture device
4. A Licensed Associate in Radiologic Technology
5. On-call Engineer from the Municipal Planning and Development Office

The Boac Telerad sends videos or radiological patient images through the Internet. These images or video clips are uploaded with the patient’s information to a secure server and can be accessed by authorized doctors anywhere in the world for review and diagnosis.

Below is the basic configuration being used: 

Mayor Solomon, authorized by the Sangguniang Bayan of Boac, has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Dr. Jeremias Gonzales, a Licensed Radiologist and a Fellow on Nuclear Medicine, for the review and evaluation of radiological patient images.

Dr. Gonzales is also a proponent for the operation of the Boac Telerad.