The current pandemic has led many to be separated from their loved ones in order to curb risks of infection. To address the emotional strain that this isolation can cause, students from University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine Surgical Innovations and Biotechnology Laboratory (UPCM-SIBOL) have developed “Tele-bisita,” telepresence computers that allow patients at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to connect with their loved ones virtually.

Compared to the usual video conferencing applications, telepresence systems provide a higher quality of video and audio through computers engineered with advanced technology for the sole purpose of video communication. The telepresence computers have high definition similar to what we see on television.

The telepresence computers are a collaborative project by doctors and professors from UP Diliman and UP Manila, supervised by Dr. Nats Orillaza of UPCM-SIBOL and Dr. Homer Co of PGH. The computers used were donated by alumni of Xavier School.

These systems can also be used by doctors and nurses for monitoring and communicating with patients inside their rooms to lower their risk of exposure to the virus.

UP has been at the forefront of innovation as the country battles the pandemic. The UP National Institutes of Health are also responsible for developing local, more affordable COVID-19 test kits, while researchers and developers from UP Diliman have created covid19.ph and endcov.ph—websites that give accurate and detailed information and statistics on the number of current cases and quarantine checkpoints and hospitals, along with a virtual symptoms checker. 

Header photo courtesy of UP College of Medicine Facebook

Get more stories like this by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here.

Read more:

UP scientists are designing affordable ventilators for COVID-19 patients

UP launches a web portal that maps out COVID-19 cases and quarantine facilities

DepEd to roll out ‘continuity learning plan’ in a month, decide on school opening date