E-health initiatives are now found in 68% of the ICST policies in the Asia and Pacific region, as stated by the United Nations Economics and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Information Communication and Space Technology (UNESCAP-ICST).

In the Philippines, local hospitals and clinics see IT systems as both a challenge and an opportunity. By improving the quality of healthcare and medical information accuracy, these systems allow the country's healthcare providers to meet the increasing demands not only of the local market but also the international market.

Value for IT in Healthcare

Through the Strategic Framework laid down by the Aquino administration, the Department of Health (DOH) coordinates with different organizations and utilizes IT to solve the challenges of the geographic landscape of the country. "It is (thus) imperative that we focus on harnessing critical ICT technologies in making data and information available," Health Secretary Enrique Ona said in his speech on his health initiatives in 2010. "Significant investments must be allocated for this." The DOH has started to use information and communication technology to improve health services. "The e-health strategic framework of the Philippines can be a good model for other countries to follow, especially as inroads on the use of text messaging to deliver healthcare to barrios have been proven effective," says Mark Landry, health information technical officer, health information, evidence and research, World Health Organization, Western Pacific Regional Office.

More so, a recent Asian medical tourism analysis shows that the Philippines is one of the Asian countries with emerging prospects for medical tourism. Supporting this is a recent study by Deloitte Consulting Group which shows that 40% of Americans will consider seeking medical treatment abroad if it will cost half the price for the same quality. Foreigners now opt to cross borders to seek quality hospitalization services at a cheaper cost.