Legazpi city: The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) is reaching out to the public to take part in the upcoming 18th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week activities scheduled from August 13 to 15. The event will be held in Legazpi City and will also be accessible via social media.

According to Philippines News Agency, the event is themed ‘One Health for All: Igniting Transdisciplinary Solutions for a Healthier Philippines’ and will feature plenary sessions that emphasize collaborations among PCHRD’s regional, national, and international partners. The Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development, a part of the 17 regional health research and development consortia in the Philippines, will host the event.

PCHRD Senior Science Research Specialist Fatima Panganiban highlighted in PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview that the event will showcase local initiatives and solutions, with a particular session focusing on the link between research and education under the One Health approach. Panganiban also noted that another session will demonstrate how various sectors collaborate to develop evidence-based programs addressing community needs.

In addition to plenary talks, the program will include a three-minute ‘Pitch to Policy-Makers’ competition, allowing researchers to advocate for policy ideas stemming from their health research. There will also be a Research Poster contest and an Oral Research Paper Presentation competition, catering to both student and professional categories.

The PNHRS serves as a national framework to integrate health research across the country. “It seeks to improve the quality of health by ensuring that the research is aligned to the needs and health research priorities. It also ensures that the government’s health research investments produce benefits,” Panganiban stated.