PCHRD News

: Ana Ciaren H. Itulid; Latest News; 06 September 2017; Hits: 2671

Six principles of an effective mental health program were presented by Dr. Anselmo Tronco, Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine of the Philippine General Hospital in the Drug Addiction and Mental Health Session during the 11th Philippine National Health Research System Week celebration on 24 August 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.

1. Address stigma.
People with mental health illness confront two challenges – the syndrome of the sickness itself and the discrimination they experience from the people around them. According to WHO, stigma has negative effects to the patients as it deteriorates self-esteem, disrupts family relationships and limits patient’s ability to socialize and secure housing and jobs. People thinks mentally ill patients are violent and dangerous but in fact patients have higher tendency to hurt themselves than hurting other people. Dr. Tronco urged for mental health awareness and campaigns be included in mental health programs.

2. Create relationship with the stakeholders for mental health
Local chief executives have important role in integrating a mental health program in the community because they have the power to bring together services from the health and non-health sectors.

3. Experience a process of sharing, validation, and problem-solving
Build support groups where communities can share experience of difficulties, identify common reactions, validate good stories of coping, and facilitate plans for action. Aside from the family where patients can gather strength and resilience, community is a single most important resource for Mental Health Interventions.

4. Involve the family in the program
As partners in providing care to persons with mental disorder, families also need some form of support. Family go through immense pressure in taking care of a patient, that’s why, services such as family education and training, support, and counseling on mental health should be available and accessible to them. Like support groups for the patients, support group where family members can get opportunity to share fears and learn lessons on coping should be established.

5. Harness Community Resilience on Mental Health
Build on the successes of the mental health programs in the communities. Look at the social and cultural practices on how people in communities overcome stress and deal with the challenges of life. Harnessing community resilience also requires human resource that can effectively mobilize community services and infrastructure for mental health.

6. Grab opportunities from crisis and disasters
When disaster strikes, leaders usually listen and responds to communal pain. There are opportunities for mental health programs to highlight emotional and social needs since disasters creates a context of shared grief and recovery.

: Super User; Latest News; 05 September 2017; Hits: 2304

The application process of the 2018 Pasteur Paris University International Doctoral Program is now open. This PhD program is for students holding a Master's degree (or equivalent) in science, medicine or related fields from a non-French University. The deadline for submission is on November 2,2017.

The application process consists of three steps: (i) the candidate must select and be selected by a host laboratory, keeping in mind that each advisor can present only one candidate. ; (ii) applications are filled out by the candidate together with the host laboratory and are submitted by host laboratories. Applications are evaluated by an Admissions committee that selects candidates for an interview at the Institut Pasteur; (iii) these candidates are invited for a four-day interview on the Institut Pasteur campus and present their past and future works to the Admissions committee (see further details at https://www.pasteur.fr/en/education/ppu.)

: Ana Ciaren H. Itulid; Latest News; 30 August 2017; Hits: 3681

Even before the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, Talisay City in Cebu implements a community-based outpatient treatment and aftercare program which provides comprehensive care for people with substance use disorder.

Dr. Rey Cesar Bautista, Medical Officer III of the Talisay City Health Office, boasted of the city’s community-based outpatient treatment and aftercare program in the Drug Addiction and Mental Health Session during the 11th Philippine National Health Research System Week celebration on 24 August 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.

Established in 2012, the City Health Office, together with the Social Welfare Office, run the rehabilitation program composed of the following services: drug dependency examination and assessment, 90-day outpatient recovery program, aftercare, and Strategies Toward Acceptance, Reintegration and Transformation (START) Program.

The 90-day outpatient recovery and aftercare program is based on the 12-step program of Narcotics Anonymous and the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for recovery from the effects of addiction. This phase includes mandatory group counseling, random drug testing, group therapy sessions with facilitator, support group meetings, family therapy and family support group meetings, and other recovery activities.

Dr. Bautista reiterated the important role of family and community in the continuous recovery of a patient. “Addicts should be not isolated from their families and communities because addiction is a lonely journey which needs for membership in a fellowship,” explained Dr. Bautista.

Successful patients of the 90-day outpatient treatment proceed with the START program which allows them to undergo livelihood skills training, education, and employment opportunities. This phase of the program is designed for continuous stable recovery since the patients were given opportunities to earn money and become productive members of the society. "Let us not provide them with fish but teach them to be fishermen. It is only through engaging them to work that they will value money’s worth,” emphasized Dr. Bautista.

Though the program is short on the number of days mandated by R.A. No. 9165 which is not less than 6-month recovery program plus the 18-month aftercare and follow up program, Dr. Bautista narrated success stories of persons with substance use disorder who recovered and became productive members of society. According to Dr. Bautista, the secret to the success of their program is having clear vision, high-level commitment, leadership, and community participation.

In the end of his talk, Dr. Bautista pointed out the need to eliminate the stigma to substance abusers and their families and to promote in the communities the positive outcomes of supporting rehabilitation programs. “Carry the message of recovery not carry the addicts,” stressed Dr. Bautista.

: Ana Ciaren H. Itulid; Latest News; 29 August 2017; Hits: 2626

Five researchers were given the “Most ready to publish paper award” in the 12th National Medical Writing Workshop and 5th Writeshop for Young Researchers on 7-8 August 2017 at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Malate, Manila.

Mr. Paul Froilan Garma, Ms. Anna Kristina Hernandez, and Dr. Anna Angelica Macalalad-Josue of the University of the Philippines Manila - Philippine General Hospital, Ms. Phyllis Anne Paclibare and Ms. Alyzza Marie Calayag of the University of the Philippines Diliman, received the award. The five research papers were considered the most organized and well-written among the 37 research papers reviewed. The winners received tokens and certificates.

Twice a year, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), in cooperation with the Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors (PAMJE) and Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME), conducts a writing workshop which aims to help young investigators in health and health social sciences acquire practical knowledge and skills in preparing scientific articles for publication in scholarly peer-reviewed journals.

: Latest News; 25 August 2017; Hits: 4418

PASAY CITY, Metro Manila- In the recent “Rallying Communicators for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health” pre-conference session of the 11^th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS), communication expert Dr. Clarissa David talked about ways to communicate health research and engage the public.

Dr. Clarissa David, a professor from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Mass Communication, said that health communication is already an established and prominent field of work as it concerns everyone. Here are some notes from Dr. David to reach the public, communicate effectively, and make an impact.

Two objectives: individual behavioral change and “health issue public”
You should identify priority audiences and create appealing messages for these audiences. Make special segments with specific interest in health, find listeners of health research, and convene them in a channel.

The media are your conduit
Media are your only mass-market channel to general public. Talking to them means talking to the public as well.

Ask yourself: Whose role is it?
Take some time to ask what your real objectives are and the roles everyone should play. Can you do the communication work? Is there someone better equipped to do the task? How can you support and work with them?

Study and know your audience
Remember that communication is audience-oriented. Not everyone can be your audience. You should identify key audiences and craft strategy and message to reach them.

Content is king
You should create your main message and establish channels to bring your audiences. Remember that you don’t need to explain the whole research paper as most of them are not interested.

Define your voice
Think strategically of the kind of identity you want to take on. Remember that identity and voice are important to audiences.

Sustain public engagement in health systems research
You should create and maintain a community of practice in the health research system. Share best practices through conventions and fora. Gather participation from communication practitioners and scholars in private sectors, media, and academe.

PNHRS is a gathering of different stakeholders in health research and development to contribute research-based solutions to health problems. The 11^th PNHRS Week was held on 22-23 August 2017.

Tags: PNHRS Week, PCHRD, Clarissa David

: Latest News; 23 August 2017; Hits: 3523

PASAY CITY, Metro Manila- To further improve their strategies on research utilization, the regional consortia of the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) gathered yesterday in a session at Hotel Jen Manila.

The session entitled “Rallying Communicators for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health” aims to gather members for the Society of Health Research Communicators (SHARE), a new program of the System to ensure that research contributes to evidence-informed health policies and actions.

SHARE is a community of communicators who share health research stories, advocacies, and local and national initiatives. The community will reinforce the research dissemination activities of the regional consortia of PNHRS.

The first part of the session was allotted for discussions wherein three communication and health research experts were invited to guide the participants namely Dr. Clarissa David of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Mass Communication, Dr. Mary Ann Lansang of the UP College of Medicine, and Dr. Iris Thiele Isip-Tan of the UP Manila Medical Informatics Unit.

In the afternoon, members of the regional consortia engaged in a discussion to form, gather, and sustain the SHARE community.

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Merlita Opeña, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) Division Chief, stressed that research utilization is an important process in the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS).

“I would like to emphasize that research utilization focuses on the impact or benefit of knowledge to our stakeholders. It is about what the people will gain from the research result or how they will make use of the knowledge or information.” Ms. Opeña explained.

The “Rallying Communicators for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health” is part of the 11^th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week celebration. PCHRD is the lead coordinator of the System.

Tags: PCHRD, SHARE, Health Research Communicators, PNHRS

: Latest News; 28 July 2017; Hits: 4257

PASAY CITY, Metro Manila- The country’s health research community, headed by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), will celebrate the 11^th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week on 24-25 August 2017 at Philippine International Convention Center.

The celebration is a gathering of different stakeholders in health research and development to contribute research-based solutions to health problems.

With the theme “Research and Innovations in Health: Empowering and Transforming Communities,” this year’s celebration will highlight the roles, challenges, and opportunities of health research and innovation in reaching, empowering, and transforming the marginalized Filipino communities.

Parallel and plenary sessions will revolve around key areas including Drug Addiction and Mental Health, Wealth and Wellness, Psychosocial and Health Concerns of Internally Displaced Persons, Assessment of the Philippine Health Sector Performance, and National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA).

Pre-conference sessions such as Ethics, Society of Health Research Communicators (SHARE) Assembly, Journal Publishing, Meeting of the Regional Health Research and Development Consortia Secretariat, and Health Research and Development for Disaster Program Review will also be held on 22 August 2017 at Hotel Jen Manila.

PNHRS is an integrated national framework for health research in the country which ensures that research contributes to evidence-informed health policies and actions. For more details, please contact Ms. Ullyann Carticiano-Garcia at 837-7534 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Tags: PNHRS Week, PNHRS2016, PCHRD, PNHRS2017

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