UP and NIH set policy recommendations on health

February 20, 2013 1:52 pm | by Aliyah Lou Evangelista | Posted in News

On February 22, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona will meet researchers and academicians to listen to a set of policy recommendations based from health researchers led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-University of the Philippines Manila. This event is the highlight of NIH’s 15th anniversary celebration at Century Park Hotel.

An endorser of the Reproductive Health and Sin Tax Bills, the NIH will lead policy recommendations that are critical to address issues in Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (KP), most specifically in KP’s third strategic thrust: the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Since KPs’ launch, NIH has supported DOH direction to universal health care by aligning its research agenda to help meet the challenges of the MDGs. According to Dr. Manuel B Agulto, Chancellor of UP Manila, this underscores NIH’s “unique position” as provider of technical expertise in health research and development to DOH and other sectors.

“Relevant research is the backbone of any policy; we as NIH would help put forth policies relevant to the country’s needs,” says Dr. Shelley Dela Vega, Director, Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies (IHPDS). IHPDS, one of the eleven institutes under NIH, will lead this year’s anniversary.

As 2015 approaches, the Aquino administration is pressured to meet Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, and 6. Health policies based from evidence in research would strategize funding for better infrastructure, facilities, and human resources to serve the best doctors and health researchers of the country. With the recent approval of the 1 billion NIH building in the 2013 UP budget, support for research and development in the health sector is expected to escalate.
NIH was instrumental in the passage of 2 laws – Republic Act 9288 or “The Newborn Screening Act of 2004” and Republic Act 9709 or “The Newborn Hearing Screening Act of 2009”. Both were signed into law by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to protect the “future generation of our country.”

Along with the DOH Secretary, gracing the event are: UP System President Alfredo Pascual, and Dr. Manuel B. Agulto, UP Manila Chancellor.

The anniversary is in conjunction with the 11th Metro Manila Health Research Development Consortium and the 4th Science and Technology Week of UP Manila.