The implementation of the Universal Healthcare law in 2019 accelerated the healthcare reform in the country. With its implementation, key opportunities and challenges were identified in revitalizing the healthcare system. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought to light additional gaps as more healthcare resources were shifted to address COVID cases. While Universal Health Care aims to achieve equitable access to quality and affordable health care services for all Filipinos, access to basic primary healthcare services in remote communities remains to be a challenge.

Tacloban City was selected for the Mission Leapfrog experiment due to their strong healthcare advocacy within the community. Current healthcare needs in Tacloban are also reflective of the rest of the Philippines. Following the destruction from Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, Tacloban City has worked to improve their healthcare resources and increase funds for their healthcare infrastructure with a particular focus on their medical teaching hospital. The community’s ability to influence national policy and engage other areas of the country is an important asset for our broader Mission Leapfrog goals.

Through our Mission Leapfrog experiments, we aim at empowering more Filipinos and increasing access for people in underserved areas to primary healthcare services in order to improve the health outcomes of the community. We will start with a small experiment. Take the learnings. Then identify and focus on a specific disease area (e.g. women & children’s health or other) for further exploration.

The core of the Mission Leapfrog experiment involves an artificial intelligence (AI)-based disease risk assessment tool which allows people to monitor and take care of their own health conditions proactively at home or anywhere. Based on their disease risk level, they will have guided access to medical information or be directed to tele-consultation services (by nurses or physicians) or have self testing at home or at designated primary care sites. This brings medical services close to patients and reduces the burden to hospital services. If successful, the change in healthcare concept and behaviour will lead to a paradigm shift.

After initial discussions, it became clear that COVID pandemic control is the top burning healthcare concern. In order to have a quick start of the experiment and thus validate the hypothesis and proof of concept, the MLP team has decided to initially focus on addressing issues related to COVID.