Engr. Merlita M. Opeña (2nd from right), chief, Research Information, Communication and Utilization Division, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development during Talakayan sa PIA, media forum at SM CDO Downtown Premier, Cagayan de Oro City says they are preparing for the 13th Philippine National Health Research System 2019 (PNHRS 2019) week celebration to be held in Cagayan de Oro City. (Rodolfo Mendoza/PIA10)
The 13th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) week celebration, an annual gathering of different stakeholders in health research and development, will be held in Cagayan de Oro City on August 13-16, 2019 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel.
With the theme, “Achieving Health-Related Sustainable Development through Research and Innovation,” PNHRS 2019 will discuss current situation, challenges, advancements and worldwide efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It also aims to address the concerns and targets related to health.
Government funding will be accessible for priority areas under national unified health research agenda, Engr. Merlita M. Opeña, chief, Research Information, Communication and Utilization Division, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development during Talakayan sa PIA, media forum at SM CDO Downtown Premier, Cagayan de Oro City says during Talakayan sa PIA. (Rodolfo Mendoza/PIA10)
Engr. Merlita M. Opeña, chief, Research Information, Communication and Utilization Division, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development during Talakayan sa PIA, media forum at SM CDO Downtown Premier, Cagayan de Oro City said they are urging more researches that really respond to a real health problem.
Government funding will be accessible for priority areas under national unified health research agenda, she said.
In the region, top ten health research priorities include substance abuse, environmental health and sanitation, non-communicable and lifestyle-related disease, health systems research, adolescent sexuality and reproductive health, disaster risk reduction management and climate adaptation for health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, food safety and occupational health.
Dr. Ian Christian A. Gonzales, Head, Non-Communicable Diseases Cluster, Department of Health – Regional Office 10 said for region 10, the main health problem is really non-communicable diseases.
“No longer are Malaria, or Dengue number one killers here, although they are still pertinent problems but it has been surpassed by non-communicable diseases especially hypertension and diabetes which are also called lifestyle related diseases,” Dr. Gonzales said.
In terms of studies, Dr. Gonzales shared, “We don’t have a lot of local studies on non-communicable diseases. We have a few that addresses for example hypertension studies or some diabetes studies. Mainly small studies done in training hospitals. We need to do bigger studies.”
“No longer are Malaria, or Dengue number one killers here, although they are still pertinent problems but it has been surpassed by non-communicable diseases especially hypertension and diabetes which are also called lifestyle related diseases,” says Dr. Ian Christian A. Gonzales, Head, Non-Communicable Diseases Cluster, Department of Health – Regional Office 10. (Rodolfo Mendoza/PIA10)
He said, DOH next year we will be embarking on a big community survey to get exactly those numbers.
Dr. Gonzales explained they will get in each municipality the number of diabetic, hypertensive or have renal disease. The number of individuals who have experienced injuries and relatives that died of injuries, among others.
Dr. Roselyn V. Arellano, Supervising Science Research Specialist, DOST-X, Northern Mindanao Consortium for Health Research and Development (NorMinCoHRD) coordinator said food safety, food concern is also part of the priority areas of region 10.
“We link with our academic institutions and big hospitals. We also equip our researchers to develop them and provide trainings and bring them to the researchable areas that can really help the region,” she added.
In terms of policy, Arellano said they are bringing these researches to the local government units and to the National Economic Development Authority through Regional Development Council (RDC).
“We link with our academic institutions and big hospitals. We also equip our researchers to develop them and provide trainings and bring them to the researchable areas that can really help the region,” says Dr. Roselyn V. Arellano, Supervising Science Research Specialist, DOST-X, Northern Mindanao Consortium for Health Research and Development (NorMinCoHRD) coordinator. (Rodolfo Menodza/PIA10)
NorMinCoHRD is an enabler for research and development.
“Our mindset when we think of science and research is travel to Mars, or whatever space science. But we are talking here of the needs of the region. We equip the researchers not only in funding but equipping them with their capability to do research,” Arellano explained.
Among the trainings they provide are research methods training and mentoring.
Plenary and parallel sessions of the main conference will cover topics on Research and Innovation Partnerships to achieve Universal Health Care and health-related SDG; Lifestyle Diseases in the Philippines vis-à-vis SDGs; Healthy, Sustainable, and Resilient Cities and Communities; and Translating Evidence from Research to Policy.
PNHRS Week is a gathering of different stakeholders in health research and development to contribute research-based solutions to health problems. (JMOR/PIA10)
