Support urged for unified health research agenda

MANILA, Philippines - To better address both new challenges and existing deterrents to healthcare, the organizations behind the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) are once again calling for support for the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) from the different sectors of society.

The PNHRS is a framework anchored on the principles of essential national health research on inclusiveness, participation, quality, equity, efficiency, and effectiveness.

It was established in 2003 through a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Health (DOH).

In 2007, the core agencies were expanded to include the Commission on Higher Education and the UP Manila National Institutes of Health.

The PNHRS was created to ensure that health research is linked to the health system’s needs, ensure that investments in health research yield the most benefits, and foster high-performing and ethical health research organizations.

Through the NUHRA, which was launched in 2006 and then updated in 2008, the PNHRS provides research directions and areas where the different sectors can contribute to the overall improvement of the health and productivity of Filipinos.

The NUHRA contains topics believed to be of national importance, identified by way of a consultation process with the public and private sectors.

When it was updated in 2008, recent developments, new directions and thrusts of concerned agencies, and other health-related initiatives were considered.

The formulation of the NUHRA took into account the Millennium Development Goals, the updated Medium Term Philippine Development Plan, the Fourmula One for Health Framework, and the National Science and Technology Plan.

“When we look at where we stand right now — our capabilities and key issues that need to be immediately addressed in the provision of healthcare to Filipinos — the NUHRA should provide us with a clearer view of areas that need to be further scrutinized,” said Dr. Eden Divinagracia, who chairs the Research Agenda Committee of the PNHRS.

Currently, the NUHRA 2008-2010 is classified into seven major areas — health financing, governance, health regulations, health service delivery, health technology development, health research ethics, and health information systems.

“Under each of these classifications are a number of priority research topics which, when properly studied, will result in data that will facilitate the improvement of healthcare programs,” said Dr. Jaime Montoya, PCHRD executive director.