Republic Act 10532, also known as the Philippine National Health Research System Act of 2013 was signed into law by President Noynoy Aquino last May 7, 2013. The law seeks to institutionalize the Philippine Naional Health Research System to improve the quality of life of the Filipino people through health research and development activities.

The joint effort of the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and the Department of Health through the memorandum initiated in 2003 have provided avenues for health research development in the country. With the 17 regional health research and development consortia all over the Philippines, a more apt and strong collaboration among the academe, health care providers, medical institutions, government agencies and local government units is sought.

Under the new law, the PNHRS shall be comprised of a governing council whose chairmen are the secretaries of the Department of Science and Technology and Department of Health. Members are the chairman of the Commission on Higher Education, the chancellor of thd University of the Philippines-Manila, the Executive Director of the National Nutrition Council, Director of the Philippine Council fir Health Research and Development and five representatives from the private sector.

"The establishment of the PNHRS has become necessary to ensure that the Filipinos will reap the immediate benefits of health research study being conducted in the country, " says Dr. Jaime Montoya, Executive Director of the PCHRD, in his presentation of the PNHRS Law during the 7th PNHRS Week celebration in Laoag, Ilocos Norte last August 7-9, 2013.

Dr. Montoya added that the passing of the PNHRS into law will facilitate faster conduct of studies with increased collaboraion without having to worry about changing administrations.

Originally posted at http://www.caragahealthresearch.org/2013/08/pnoy-signs-pnhrs-law.html

Date Monday, August 19, 2013