Author: Ma. Concepcion M. Maceres
This year, the Philippines hosted the Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health, with the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Health (DOH), in partnership between the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED). It was held at the Philippine International Convention Center Manila, Philippines on August 24-27, 2015.
The target of the Forum was to identify solutions to the world’s unmet health needs through research and innovation. In particular, it aimed to provide a platform and an opportunity for low- and middle-income countries to define the global health research agenda, present solutions and partners for action.
Over 4,000 stakeholder from the government, business, non-profit, international organizations, academic and research institutions and social entrepreneurs from different countries actively participated. There were 70 sessions that highlighted the importance of giving health solutions by building strategies through partnerships in innovation and research. Six (6) subthemes focused on Social Accountability, Increasing Investment, Country-driven Capacity Building, Food and Nutrition Safety and Security, Health in Megacities, and Disaster Risk Reduction. Aside from the sessions, there were competition on film festival, global health debates, and IT4Health and photo exhibits on varied global health issues and health intervention.
The Region V delegates to the forum was comprised of BCHRD and Philippine Nurses’ Association (PNA). Dr. Alma S. Banua, BCHRD Director led the R V delegates, who were as follows: Dr. Ma. Teresa G. de Alban- CHED (chair of RICUC), Dr. Marilou D. Tino- USANT (chair of CBC), Dr. Pilita O. Lucena- DOST (Vice Chair-RICUC), Dr. Jensy S. Ong- BMC (Vice Chair-R & D), Prof. Ida Francia H. Revale- BU (Vice Chair- ERC); committee members, Fr. Herbert M. Canar, BRTTH (ERC), Dr. Lilibeth Tubalinal- CSU (RICUC), Dr. Alvin Sario- AUL (RICUC), Dr. Marlyn Daguno- BRTTH (R&D), Dr. Aurora Daluro- DOH, (ERC) and and Ma. Concepcion M. Maceres, ERC Secretary. Likewise present were researchers of BCHRD- Prof. Ofelia E. Tam- PSU and Prof. Dennis B. Gogola- BU and Dr. Lilibeth Cajuday- BU; faculty members of member agencies of BCHRD- Dr. Annie Baylon- AUL, Dr. Pamela Sorra-AUL, Dr. Ray Ortega-USANT, Dr. Erlinda Basilla- PSU, Kuh Paterno-PSU, Jocelyn Serrano- BU, Dr. Jean Ibo-BU, Brigida Lobete-BU and PNA delegates - Prof. Alilie Gaduena (SBC), Dr. Nera Galan-BU, Prof. Nelsa Malong-DWCL, Prof. Roanne Morano-BU, and Dr. Maria Bernardita Palacio- BU.
Region V Participants of Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health with Dr. Jaime Montoya, Director of PCHRD
