Makati City, Philippines — October 16-17, 2024

Public and private sector stakeholders convened for the Terminology Services Connectathon held at Ascott Makati, Glorietta 4, to strengthen the foundations of interoperable, secure, and standards-based digital health systems in the Philippines. The event brought together organizations actively working in digital health to align efforts in support of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The Connectathon highlighted the strategic role of terminology services in enabling safe data exchange across health systems. Discussions emphasized governance, architecture, and implementation approaches consistent with the National Digital Health Strategy and broader health sector reforms.

The event was co-organized by Alvin Marcelo, President of the Philippine Society for Digital Health (PSDH) and Convener of the Standards and Interoperability Lab (SILab). The initiative was led by UP Manila SILab, with support from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Embassy of Australia.

Key messages during the Connectathon underscored:

  • The reactivation of national digital health governance mechanisms.

  • Alignment with COBIT-based governance across decision-making, planning, building, delivery, and monitoring.

  • Focus on priority programs including immunization, nutrition, maternal care, tuberculosis and HIV, hypertension and diabetes management, road safety, cancer, and core digital health infrastructure.

Participants were encouraged to align organizational plans, offer technical and service capabilities, and collaborate in implementing interoperable solutions that directly support primary care and UHC outcomes.

Senior leaders from government and partner institutions attended, including representatives from PhilHealth and the Department of Health, reinforcing strong public–private collaboration in advancing the country’s digital health transformation.