RC Zamboanga City West Presents Telemedicine Project in Pre-Convention Symposium at Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The Rotary Club of Zamboanga City West through its representative, Rotarian Afdal Kunting, presented its Philippine Model at the Global OffSite Care Symposium on Telemedicine on June 21, 2025 at the Marriot Hotel downtown, Calgary Alberta Canada. 

This symposium is a pre-convention activity of the 2025 Rotary International Convention that ran from 21-25, 2025. The convener, Global OffSite Care is a United States Based Humanitarian Non-Profit Organization that works with Rotary Club sponsored telemedicine projects which advocate improved access to health care using the Internet. There are currently 18 projects across 11 countries and three continents. The RCZC West project is among the three given the opportunity to present along with one from Haiti and Guyana.

Rotarian Kunting presented how the telemedicine model of RCZC West, working together with the Zamboanga City Medical Center with assistance from the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown and Global OffSite Care through a global grant, is now the biggest provider in the region with 64 partner sites.

Among the important insights presented by Rotarian Kunting, is the development of a Regional Telemedicine Center, the incorporation of a teaching and mentoring component to improve partner knowledge and practice as well as conducting studies to identify enablers and barriers to telemedicine practice. The Rotary Club of Zamboanga City West continues to fulfill its role.