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PCHRD organizes Research Proposal Critiquing Workshop

PCHRD organizes Research Proposal Critiquing Workshop

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), in partnership with the “Development of BRM Modules” project team, led by Dr. Ophelia Mendoza, organized a “Research Proposal Critiquing Workshop” last 14 March 2019 at the Manila Manor Hotel. It is a follow-up activity of “Training of Trainers for Basic Research Methods (BRM) Training” that was conducted by Symmetrix Research Consultancy, Co. last 4-6 December 2018 at Marco Polo in Davao City.

The workshop was organized as part of the council’s initiative in harmonizing and strengthening the review capacity of all the Regions to ensure efficiency of the review process and quality of the proposals endorsed to the PCHRD for funding, the said workshop primarily aims to enhance the capacity of the participants in critiquing research proposals and in writing a critique report.

Present during the workshop was the Capacity Building Committee Chair of the Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development and Executive Director for Research and Extension of the Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology, Dr. Servando D. Halili.

DOST ventures into genomics health R&D

MANILA -- In an effort to be at par with the health technology of developed countries, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced on Wednesday that it invested more in genomics Health Research and Development.

In a technology conference, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the department, through the Philippine Council for Health, Research, and Development, has ventured to exploring genomics or the branch of molecular biology concerned with the structure, function, evolution, and mapping of genomes.

“This will allow us to check whether the drugs we are using for our patients really work for them. This will result in health professionals having the ability to develop medicines that will fit the individual needs of every Filipino,” dela Peña said.

In previous years, genomics research budget allocation was not given much priority with PHP31 million in 2014 and PHP29.5 million in 2015.

It has since tripled to PHP60 million in 2016, PHP71 million in 2017, and recently PHP312 million in 2018.

Dela Peña said the project hopefully reduces the number of failed medications in the Philippines as the most medication used by Filipinos are made abroad and suited to adapt to their genetic needs which are often not as effective when taken by others.

By being involved in genomics, the study of all of a person's genome including interactions of those genes with each other and with the person's environment, Filipino scientists and doctors can check whether the drugs given to patients really work.

Through genomics, DOST aims to develop new health products and services and strengthen the clinical practice guidelines and policies of the Philippines. (PNA)

Local health researches discussed in Ilocos fora

VIGAN CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- Health researchers, health workers, and medical students in Region 1 discussed in a series of fora the results of local health researches involving the therapeutic value of processed indigenous plants ready for utilization as effective medicines to human.

The forum dubbed as “2019 Health Research Dissemination Forum” was initiated by the Region 1 Health Research Development Consortium (R1HRDC) in partnership with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) anchored on the theme: “Research Outputs: Inputs to Evidenced-Based Nursing Practice.”

Dr. Jose B. Orosa III, chairperson of Research Management Committee of R1HRDC, said the series of health research dissemination fora in the Ilocos were held in La Union and in Ilocos Sur.

The first forum was conducted in the DBM Conference Hall, San Fernando City, La Union on Jan 26 wherein researches, doctors, practicing nurses and medical students from Pangasinan, La Union and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) participated.

The second forum was held in the University of the Northern Phillippines (UNP), Vigan City on Feb. 9.

The health researches presented during the two fora were: utilization of guava leaves in the formulation of anti-bacterial products; cancer chemopreventive activity of the characterized bioactive alkaloid extract from sorghum bicolor; bactericidal property of ginger against coccus aureus, MRSA, e.coli, and extended spectrum beta lactamase e.coli; platelet augmenting nephroprotective and hepatoprotective activities of sweek potato leaf (kamote) extract.

Orosa said the conduct of these health researches were funded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) – R1HRDC.

“We conducted these health researches to produce economical but more effective medicines out from the indigenous plants involved in the studies,”Orosa said.

Dr. Mercita Queddeng, chairperson of the Research Utilization Committee (RUC) of the R1HRDC, said that based on the results of the researches, the processed guava leaves are proven to have anti-microbial and antiseptic properties; the sorghum extract had potential to prevent cancer; the ginger had bactericidal property; while the kamote leaves will increase platelet count of blood thus preventing complication to dengue hemorrhagic fever. (JNPD/FGL/PIA-1)