PASAY CITY, Metro Manila- “The presence of health research in the regions is now more evident,” thus emphasized by Executive Director Jaime Montoya in the recent celebration of the 35^th anniversary of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) on 17 March 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

According to Dr. Montoya, the event is more than an anniversary but a celebration of the commitment and dedication of the Council to carry out programs which enhance research productivity. He then cited various accomplishments of the Council including the 10 Tuklas Lunas Development Centers established in seven regions, 1000 RxBox devices to be deployed to 1,000 health centers across the country, and expansion of eHATID project to HATID ASEAN (Health Technologies for Informed Decision making in the Association of South East Asian Nations).

Responding to the impact of disasters and climate change on health in the country, the Council also added Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Health (DRR-CCA Health) as new priority area for research. As the secretariat of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB), PCHRD also accredited 48 research ethics committees.

Dr. Montoya also shared that the Council will disseminate the PNHRS Guidelines for Health Research Prioritization to research institutions across the country. “It is with great hope that through this document, our research institutions and regional research consortia will be more empowered in terms of preparation, implementation, and post-implementation of their research agenda,” he added.

Discussing the celebration’s theme, Dr. Montoya emphasized that research process does not end with project completion alone but should be translated into quantifiable outputs that empower beneficiaries to take care of their health.

“The accomplishments of PCHRD are the results of the hard work of its dedicated people and committed partners,” Dr. Montoya said as he urged the people and partners of the Council to continue giving their best and working with greater passion. n

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), in partnership with the Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC) of the Ateneo de Manila University, hosted a two-day kick-off meeting on “eHealth Technologies and Data Governance” on 27 to 28 February 2017 at San Alberto Hurtado Hall, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City and Capitol Resort Hotel, Lingayen, Pangasinan, respectively.

Supported by the ASEAN Network for Drugs, Diagnostics, and Vaccines Innovation (ASEAN-NDI), the meeting officially launched the October 2017 “Learning Interaction on eHealth Technologies in the ASEAN” conference, a part of the 2017 Philippine hosting of the ASEAN.

Dr. Jaime Montoya, PCHRD Executive Director, cited that the Philippines has long been challenged by constraints in accessibility and availability of healthcare services and information wherein about 90% of health professionals and 60% of tertiary hospitals where only found in urban areas.

“Due to these limitations, DOST recognizes that the solution lies in a strategy that incorporates SMARTER technologies. This is where eHealth comes into place. The eHealth program serves as one of the countries’ primary strategies to reform the current health care system,” Dr. Montoya emphasized.

Highlights of the program were two book launchings, the “Breaking Ground for HATID ASEAN: Proceedings of ASEAN-Level Technical Meetings on eHealth Technologies for Local Government Units” and the “eHealth LGU User Guide and Manual.” Presentations and discussions on the Indonesian, Thailand, and Philippine HATID ASEAN proposal were held.  

The Province of Pangasinan, through Provincial Health Officers Anna Teresa De Guzman and Cielo Almoite, also shared their experiences on integrating eHealth technologies for data and health governance in their province.

ASEAN-NDI, hosted by PCHRD, is the first health research and development (R&D) innovation network under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

Ortigas Center, QUEZON CITY- The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) joined the 24^thannual convention of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) on 15-17 February 2017 at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila.

Participants from 24^th annual convention of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP)

With the theme “Pediatric Infectious Diseases: Showcasing Trends, Achievements and Research (P.I.D.S.T.A.R),” the Convention highlighted relevant clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic management of common infectious diseases in community and hospital settings.

Dr. Jaime Montoya, PCHRD Executive Director, shared his expertise on “Research Strategies, Trends and Opportunities in Pediatric Infectious Disease” wherein he cited that infectious diseases account for 15 million deaths per year worldwide and affect the young and elderly people and the poorest sections of society. 

He also highlighted the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA), the country’s template for health research and development efforts. “At present, the Council, together with its stakeholders, is preparing the NUHRA 2017-2022 that will address prevailing diseases,” Dr. Montoya discussed.

Other topics included in the PIDSP Convention were “The Comeback of Old Vaccine Preventable Diseases” discussed by Dr.  Ma. Carmen Nievera of Asian Hospital and Medical Center, “Genetics and Infectious Diseases” by Dr. Eva Marie Cutiongco-Dela Paz of the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, and “Adjunct or Junk Therapies in Pediatric Infectious Diseases” by Dr. Cecilia C. Maramba-Lazarte of UP Manila.

PCHRD’s Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN), the national health research repository of the Philippines, also participated in the Convention’s exhibit. (With reports from Judy Ann Bacud, Project Assistant III, PCHRD).