- Notes from the 6th Philippine National Health Research System Week Celebration
The 6th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week themed “Sustaining Research Partnerships for Better Health” was observed on the 8th to 10th of August 2012 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, Pasay City. The conference provided a platform for different stakeholders in health research to interact, to exchange ideas and experiences, to voice out concerns and contribute research-based solutions to health problems in support of the country’s Kalusugang Pangkalahatan Agenda.
“This year’s theme reaffirms that the benefit of health research can only be achieved through cooperation among research stakeholders” said Dr. Jaime Montoya, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development when he formally opened the conference last August 9, 2012.
During the first day of event and inspite of the bad weather, simultaneous sessions of regional health research systems on Ethics, Research Utilization, Governance and Resource Mobilization were held. The turn-out inspired Dr. Montoya to comment on how passionate the members are in their pursuit to realize the Philippines health research agenda.
As part of the of the regional consortia, the Health Research and Development Consortium Region IV-A (HRDCR IV-A) participated in several contests conducted during the event. One of these was the 2nd Student Research Competition in Health Science and Technology, which aims to inspire young researchers to conduct studies in health and showcase health research efforts of universities and colleges. Researches from two groups of students from De La Salle Health Sciences Institute (DLSHSI) were chosen as finalists for the PNHRS student research poster exhibit contest. The study entitled “Knowledge on Breast Cancer, Attitude and Practice of Self-Examination among Women Residents of Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite” by Ashley Jayne C. Cajigas, Allen Jude R. Panganiban, Jude Matthew U. Penado and Therese P. Silva, bagged the 3rd spot, while the study “Acceptability of Herbal Medicine by Residents of Barangay San Agustin, Trece Martires City, Cavite” by Ellnard J. Advincula, Maria Grace P. Ismael, Jonton Chard I. Lubigan and Kenneth Allen S. Marges was named one of the finalists.
The paper entitled “Development and Validation of the Specific Allergen Immunotherapy Questionnaire (SITQ) as an instrument to Measure Severity of Symptoms, Medication use and Quality of Life Among Filipino Patients 12 years old and above, Receiving Specific Allergen Immunotheraphy (SIT)” by Dr. Jovilia M. Abong was also presented in the Regional Research Oral Presention. Her paper was among the 13 researches selected to be featured during the PNHRS week out of the 61 papers passed to PCHRD for Evaluation/Selection.
Dr. Eleanor Padla’s study entitled “Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Ent-kaurenoic Acid from Smallanthus sonchifolius”, on the other hand was one of the entries of HRDCR IV-A chosen in the professional poster exhibit.
The event also highlighted the Consortia Exhibit which depicted the research partnerships among the 17 regions of the country.
Aside from providing an effective mechanism for collaboration and networking among health research institutions, the consortium thru the annual event, addressed the necessity and importance of sharing resources, expertise and facilities among members and local and international partners. This, plus finding unity was scored to better combat the health problems besetting the country and towards achieving universal health care for all Filipinos.
“ In this instance of a national convention, looking at how we participate globally must echo the sentiments that the Philippines is a nation not only geographically defined by the boundaries but by the spirit so that our problems will be solved globally rather than locally” stressed by Dr. Federico Macaranas during the closing ceremony.
