The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) granted a utility model registration to the eHATID project last 7 May 2021 for its system of storing, sharing, and retrieving medical information. Valid for seven years, the patent grants the eHATID team the right to use, sell, or import the utility model. 

With support from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the eHATID was developed by the research team of Dr. Dennis Batangan of the Ateneo de Manila University –  Institute of Philippine Culture (ADMU-IPC) as a healthcare information system that will aid the country’s healthcare delivery. The project was also supported by the DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) in pursuing its IP-related activities.

The technology is embedded with several features, including: a communication system for local government units (LGUs), a dashboard that enables visualizations of patient data to support evidence-informed decision-making, and an electronic medical record (EMR) for mobile devices. 

The issued patent is for the eHATID’s system for “storing, sharing, and retrieving medical health information using a software application that allows users to input and subsequently access information, such as patient medical profile and consultation data, which were processed through a backend infrastructure.”  This system is interoperable, connects multiple databases, and enables remote access for its users. This will also help in facilitating the quick and efficient referral of patients to the appropriate healthcare facilities.

“With support from DOST-PCHRD, our research team from the Ateneo de Manila University developed a truly homegrown technology intended to support local health systems development in our country,” Dr. Batangan said. “The IPOPHL Utility Model Registration bestows upon eHATID further recognition and support for its continuing efforts to  help the country attain its Universal Health Care goals,” he added.

“The eHATID is an example of how R&D initiatives can translate to solutions that directly benefit our communities,” DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya said. “We are thankful for the continuous commitment of the project team to work with LGUs in implementing the eHATID in support of the Universal Healthcare Law,” he added. 

Aside from the utility model, the IPOPHL also granted trademarks for the eHATID LGU and for its Smarter and Integrated Local Health Information Systems (SMILHIS). It also has a pending application with IPOPHL for its electronic medical system. The pending patent application of the eHATID was also awarded the Bronze Prize during the 2021 National Inventors Week under the Pending Patent Category.