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RHRDC XI- ERC Initiated Updating of Stakeholders with Endangered Plants and Animals Research Guidelines

The half-day Seminar of the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI-Ethics and Review Committee (RHRDC XI-ERC) on Research Involving Endangered Plants and Accreditation of Animal Houses held at Granada Hall, Grand Men Seng Hotel last November 25, 2015 was indeed a success. The activity was participated by the faculties, researchers and students from the consortium’s member-institutions. The primary purpose of this activity is to update the participants on the ethical considerations and laboratory/research practices when conducting studies that involve plants and animals.

The seminar was formally opened by Dr. Gilbert B. Arendain, RHRDC XI Ethics and Review Committee Chairperson. He pointed out the importance of knowing the legal considerations and practices that researchers must be aware of and possess. Two distinguished speakers were invited to share their experiences and expertise.

Dr. Victor Amoroso, the Director of the Center for Biodiversity Research and Extension in Mindanao (CEBREM) and University Professor from Central Mindanao University (CMU) shared his researches specifically involving the Philippine Flora and their uses to improving human health. He as well shared examples of species that are classified as threatened plants. He stressed out that the current situation of these species is brought by the environmentally destructive human interventions. He further discussed laws set by the government in order to protect the endangered plants.

Thereafter, Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck, a veterinarian and proprietor of Doc Bayani’s Animal Wellness Clinic focused his discussion on the use of laboratory animals for research and on the accreditation process for institutions doing animal research and having animal houses. He elaborated that certain protocols are necessary when involving animals in research not just to get reliable data but also for the welfare of the animals in general. He also said that it is important to get the animals from an accredited animal house as these animals are being bred for research and are used to being handled by human.

Dr. Warlito Vicente, Chairperson of RHRDC XI gave the closing remarks where he expressed his delight with regards to the interest he saw to the participants. He hoped that the concluded activity will better equip the participants in conducting their respective researches.

Powerpoint Presentations of the guest speakers as well as electronic copy of the guidelines for Animal House Accreditation can be downloaded at http://region11.healthresearch.ph/ Downloads Section.

ICT TWG of RHRDC XI Conducted 1st Stakeholders’ Forum on ICT & Health

The concluded one-day Stakeholders’ Forum on ICT & Health headed by the Information Communication Technology (ICT) on Health Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI (RHRDC XI) was held at the Grand Pavillion, Apo View Hotel last October 28, 2015. This activity involved various groups of health care providers and both budding and expert researchers. The conduct of the activity is to primarily encourage researchers to conduct studies using ICT in addressing health problems as well as to identify specific researchable topics for them.

The activity was formally opened by Dr. Warlito Vicente, RHRDC XI Chairperson. Dr. Vicente emphasized that ICT cuts across all professions. He encouraged participants to think on how ICT can propel not only on the whole country towards better health but specifically on Region 11. Four distinguished speakers were invited covering ICT Research agenda, ICT on health funded projects and research implementation concerns.

Ms. Merlita Opeña, Chief Research Information Communication and Utilization Division (RICUD) of Philippine Council of Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST) started the morning session by giving the Research Agenda on ICT in Health. Afterwards, eHealth Data Privacy & Other Emerging Research Themes was discussed by Dr. Peter Sy from College of Social Science and Philosophy UP Diliman. During the session, he gave emphasis on the ethical concerns on conducting researches especially when it involves the patients and their health problems.

The last two speakers both talked about their PCHRD funded projects. Ms. Rose Ann Caliso, Project Manager of eHatid Project discussed about the program. Currently, eHealth tablets were deployed from various municipalities in the Philippines were through its android-based application, Mayors and health professionals was able to get local electronic medical record and local patient data ehich aids the local government in their decision making. The application also has a Mayor-Doctor Communication System. Dr. Kristine Magtubo, project Manager of RxBox on the other hand discussed how the project RxBox was created as well as the contribution it gave to the communities. It is a biomedical telemedicine devise wherein through its built-in sensors, it can capture medical signals. These signals will be transmitted to the clinical specialists making health care cost-efficient as it reduces unnecessary travels and provides smarter diagnosis. Also, Dr. Magtubo’s team mentioned that they have encountered patent concerns in the course of the program’s implementation. However, she stressed out that these issues should never impede a researcher in conducting studies and helping the society.

During the afternoon session, there was a Focus Group Discussion wherein 4 groups were given time to discuss what are the health-related thematic areas, available solution/s involving ICT and what are the space for improvements and/or identified gaps. Dr. Peter Sy, who facilitated the discussion highlighted that apart from the vision of the impact of the study to the society, researchers should also focus on the literature reviews and the specifics needed during its conduct.

Atty. Samuel Matunog, ICT on Health TWG convenor finished the activity by challenging researchers to think out-of-the box and even open themselves to crazy ideas as long as it can contribute to new knowledge and not recycled one.

Powerpoint Presentations of the guest speakers can be downloaded at http://region11.healthresearch.ph/ Downloads Section.