What is the difference between NUHRA and RURHA?

The NUHRA topics address national health issues/concerns while the RURHA addresses regional health issues/concerns that are unique to the region.

Who will fund the implementation of research proposals for the NUHRA / RURHA?

The PNHRS will have funds support from the DOH, PCHRD-DOST and CHED.

DOH will fund proposals that address priority topics on Fourmula One.
PCHRD-DOST will fund proposals that address priority topics on technology development, health service delivery, and research ethics.


CHED will fund proposals that address priority topics on health education.
Research proposals that address CHED priority topics will be referred to CHED Central Office for processing and funding by the Zonal Research Centers.


Research proposals that address Fourmula One priorities of the RURHA will be referred to DOH-HPDPB for funding by the CHDs.

Can researchers in the regions submit proposals for research topics in the NUHRA?

Yes.

For researchers in the region, is endorsement from the RHRDCs needed if the proposals will address NUHRA topics? What if the proponent is not a member of the RHRDC?

Yes. The RHRDC endorsement is required for researchers from the region whether a member or non member of the RHRDC.

How would you guarantee the security / confidentiality of proposals submitted online?

Measures were instituted to ensure security of online proposal submission.  A confidentiality agreement between the researcher and PNHRS is also available online to which the researcher has to give his/her consent upon online submission of proposals.

How will proposals be reviewed?

Proposals will be initially screened in terms of the topic's alignment to the NUHRA and for duplication. Research topics that fall within CHED's priorities will be referred to the said office for further processing and funding.

For research topics within PCHRD's and DOH's priorities:

Proposals that pass the preliminary screening will undergo a technical evaluation by a panel of experts. The proponent will be requested to present the research proposal to the panel. The panel can recommend revisions in the proposal if needed.

The revised proposal will be re evaluated vis-a-vis the comments and recommendations of the panel.

Final approval of the proposal will be done by the PCHRD Executive Director or the PCHRD Governing Council.

What are the criteria for proposal evaluation?

Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance, technical merit, and ethical soundness.

How long is the review process? When will the final results of the review be announced?

The review process can take from 1-2 months provided that all the requirements had been submitted. Results will be announced as soon as decision on final approval has been made.

How do we request funding for proposals addressing the RURHA?

Researchers should contact the RHRDCs in their areas. The RHRDCs will provide the regional research agenda, process submitted proposals, and eventually endorse them for funding assistance to the PNHRS through PCHRD. Research proposals, however, with budgetary requirements of more than P 1M  will undergo another round of review at PCHRD.

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The National Unified Health Research Agenda or the NUHRA, a major document produced by the Research Agenda Committee (RAC) of the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS), serves as the country's template for health research and development efforts. The very first NUHRA specified the health research areas and topics that need to be addressed for 2006-2010. It was launched in 2006 and then updated in 2008. The NUHRA was a product of a series of regional and national consultations with stakeholders.

You can download the NUHRA priorities here.

"Public-private sector participation
in health development"

August 6 to 7, 2003

Mindanao Ballroom
Westin Philippine Plaza
Roxas Boulevard, Manila

What is the Health Research for Action National Forum?

The Health Research for Action National Forum is a venue for research dissemination and utilization, where participants exchange ideas and experiences for better and more responsive policies and evidence-based decisions for the health sector.

With “Bridging the gap of health inequities through research,” as its theme, the Forum has two objectives: (1) to create a shared systematic information on recently-completed health researches, and (2) to identify policy implications to achieve greater efficiency and equity in the provision and financing of health services in the Philippines.

Topics of general interest are presented in plenary sessions, while special researches are presented in parallel sessions and are clustered into main categories, such as health economics and health care financing, health systems and local health development, and health promotion and disease prevention and control.

Who participates in the Forum?

The Forum is attended by top-rank health managers; policy-makers; program implementers; experts from the academe, professional societies, research organizations, and non-health, health and related institutions both from the public and private sectors.

How many Fora have been held to date?

Three (3) Health Research for Action National Fora have already been held: the first on June 28-29, 2001; the second on December 5-7, 2001; the third on May 23-24, 2002.

What were taken up in the previous Fora?

The following topics were taken up in the plenary sessions of the previous fora:

First Forum: 1991-1999 Philippine national health accounts; implications of globalization on health service delivery in the Philippines; 2000 maternal and child health survey; 2000 family planning survey; 1998 national nutrition survey; and baseline survey for the national objectives for health

Second Forum: 2000 family income and expenditure survey; and health programmes and equity during devolution in the Philippines

Third Forum: Philippine poverty assessment; Filipino report card on pro-poor services; monitoring the health situation in the Philippines: SWS surveys 1989-2001; policy note on improving the poor’s access to affordable drugs; making PhilHealth policies more pro-poor; Philippine country study on meeting the millennium development goal; and Philippine national health accounts.

Download the program here.

Regional Health Research Development Consortia (RHRDC)

RHRDCs are established as a strategy to provide and strengthen the scientific and technological base for health care delivery in the regions. The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development along with the DOST regional offices worked together with the local health and medical institutions to promote local health research and to instutionalize the exchange of health information. At present, five RHRDC's are developed, as follows:

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