PNHRS

: Super User; Regional Updates; 03 October 2017; Hits: 2448

3rd Quarter ExeCom and Committee Chairs Meeting

Tacloban City, October 2, 2017 - DOST-EVHRDC spearheaded a meeting to highlight the accomplishment of the EVHRDC Committees for the quarter and approval of the newly formed SOME Committee, held at DOST 8 Conference Room on October 2, 2017 which started at exactly 10:00AM.

The meeting was presided by the EVHRDC- ExeCom Chair and DOH RO8 Regional Director Dr. Minerva P. Molon together with the EVHRDC- Co Chair and DOST RO8 Regional Director, Engr. Edgardo M. Esperancilla. A quorum was declared as ExeCom Members designated their respective representatives such as, Ms. Meylene C. Rosales, OIC ARD of NEDA RO8, Ms. Erleta S. Piñero, ES II of CHED RO8, Dr. Othello B. Capuno, Vice-President of VSU. Among the attendees where the EVHRDC Committee Chairs, as follows; EVHRDC-ERC Chair and Head of Internal Medicine at EVRMC, Dr. Jane R. Borrinaga, EVHRDC-RMC Chair and Project Coordinator of DOH RO 8, Mr. Leonido P. Olobia, EVHRDC- RIC Chair, Mr. Willard Riveral and EVHRDC-CBC and DEAN of UP Tacloban, Dr. Virgildo Sabalo as they have presented their accomplishment for the quarter.

We also have invited the EVHRDC Consultant, Dr. Shiela Tante, as she presented the draft of the EVHRDC Manual of Operations (MOO) for finalization and approval of the Committee.

EVHRDC Accomplishment for the quarter was presented by the EVHRDC Consortium Director and Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations (ARD-TO), Engr. Ernesto M. Granada. Presentation on the update of the EVHRDC Website was followed and presented by the EVHRDC Secretariat and IT expert, Mr. Jeffrey P. Hinampas.

The formation of the SOME Committee was presented by the EVHRDC Project Coordinator, Dr. Lucia P. Dauz and was approved by the committee.

Also one of the highlights was the blessing of the EVHRDC- ERC Office, as it was headed by Fr. Patricio R. de los Reyes, Jr., new EVHRDC-ERC Member representing the Divine Word Hospital (DWH).

Discussion on the final date of the EVHRDC General Assembly was on November 24, 2017.

: Super User; Regional Updates; 24 September 2017; Hits: 2619

Otayza bags 2016 Presidential Gawad CES Award

Lead by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, was the conferment of awards to the Gawad Career Executive Service Honorees and to 26 individuals and 4 groups that made up the roster of finalists in the 2017 Search for Outstanding Government Workers, at the Rizal Hall Malacañang Palace on Sept 20, 2017.

The award, spearheaded by the Civil Service Commission aims to “recognize members in the Career Executive Service (CES) for exemplary performance and significant contributions, particularly in the areas of innovation, information and communication technology, social services, administrative reforms and public policy.” Distinguished recipient of this award is Dr Maria Lourdes K. Otayza, Medical Center Chief II of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center and also the Chairman of the Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC). She took home a plaque with the Presidential Seal, a medal and prize money amounting to PhP100,000.00.

In order to qualify for this prominent award, the nominee will need to pass the validation process and the selection of winners shall have three levels. The first or pre-screening level shall be done by the CESB Secretariat to ensure adherence to criteria and completion of documents. The second level shall be done by a group of previous years’ winners of the GAWAD CES who will short-list from among the nominees the finalists for in-depth validation. The third and final level shall be done by the Committee on Awards which will select the winners for the year’s GAWAD CES from among the validated finalists.

This rigid process is no joke for only a few is being selected to receive the award. In the year 2015, there were only 5 awardees while only 3 receives the award for the year 2016.

To quote on the article published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated September 20, 2017, stating the reasons why Dr Otayza was granted the prestigious award says, “For developing the Innova

tive Health Assistance Financing System, which has lightened the burden of the sick while fostering one’s responsibility for health; for her successful endeavour on Global Standard Health Care and Acquisition of Equipment, which enabled Mariano Marcos Hospital to become a specialized reference center in Northern Luzon; and for spearheading the creation of a comprehensive human health resource development that led to the establishment of the Mariano Marcos State University College of Medicine, as well as the maintenance of the accreditation of training of the different clinical departments and the creation of Family Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine Departments.”

During his speech, the President commended the honorees calling them “the men and women of goodwill” and “brilliant and innovative”. He also encouraged and reminded his fellow civil servants to “reduce the case of graft and corruption to the most minimal level” if not “totally eliminated”.

Photos of the awarding ceremony were also published by the same publication dated September 24, 2017. Congratulations!

: Super User; Regional Updates; 25 August 2017; Hits: 1684

EVHRDC Participates in the 11th PNHRS Week Celebration at PICC Pasay City

The Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (EVHRDC) participated in the 11th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) week celebration held on August 24-25, 2017 at Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City. The momentous occasion was spearheaded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The celebration is a gathering of different stakeholders in health research and development to contribute research-based solutions to health problems.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Research and Innovations in Health: Empowering and Transforming Communities,” which focuses on the roles, challenges, and opportunities of health research and innovation in reaching, empowering, and transforming the marginalized Filipino communities.

The activity started with pre-conference sessions at Hotel Jen Manila. On August 22, 2017, morning, the Ethics, and Society of Health Research Communicators (SHARE) Assembly Journal Publishing was conducted simultaneously. In the afternoon of the same day, a Coordinators & Staff Meeting, and SHARE Organizational Meeting/Communication Planning was also conducted. On August 23, 2017, a Technical Review Board (TRB) National Consultative Meeting on TRB Manual was held, to gather inputs and insights of the different consortium in order to finalize the Manual of Operations. There were other parallel sessions being conducted in other rooms at Hotel Jen Manila.

Moreover, sixteen (16) delegates From EVHRDC were among the attendees of the activity, and four (4) different committees (Research Management, Research Information, Capability Building, and Structure, Organization, Monitoring & Evaluation) were represented, including the EVHRDC staff. We were also proud to have Mr. Renz Prudenciado, contestant from Leyte Normal University (LNU), for the National Poster Exhibit Contest, Student Category, to join us in representing the region for the said event.

: Super User; Regional Updates; 22 September 2017; Hits: 1962

DOHRO8 in Collaboration with EVHRDC Conducts R&D Program: EVHRDC Research Management Committee Mentoring and Coaching Activity for Researchers in Region VIII

Tacloban City, September 22, 2017 – Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium together with the Research Management Committee conducted the Mentoring and Coaching Activity for Researchers in Region VIII held last September 19 – 21, 2017 at Luxury Suites, Tacloban City. This activity aims to help and encourage participants from the different member institutions in finishing their research studies with the guidance and expertise of the EVHRDC-Technical Review Board. Also one with them is Dr. Ophelia Mendoza of UP Manila who was the Resource Person during the activity. This also aims to provide technical assistance including preparation of line item budget in the development and actual implementation of health research projects. In addition, to undertake technical review and recommend approval of regional health research projects.

During the first day, the Research Management Committee officially reviewed the proposals by requesting the proponents to present their full blown proposals assimilated with RMC Recommendations of last Technical Review dated June 23, 2017. The power point presentations standard template had a Table of comparison, stated with their recommendations and the compliance made by the proponents. During the proponent’s presentation, the RMC conveyed comments and suggestion. Likewise, Dr. Ophelia Mendoza, who was there to help the proponents in honing their proposals by mentoring and coaching them.

Overall, a total of (12) proposals were gone through by the Research Management Committee. The proponents were expected to make necessary revisions as per RMC suggestions. They will present it on the 3rd day. If they will comply, they will be endorsed to Ethics Review Committee for Ethical clearance.

On the Second day during the AM session, Mr. Leonido Olobia presented the research proposal entitled, “Effectiveness of Vector Prevention and Control Ordinance in Ormoc City” of Rolando Quilantang from Ormoc City Health Office because he is also a co-author of the proposal. 13th presentation of Research proposal for possible funding by EVHRDC.

The Supervising SRS-IDD of DOST-PCHRD, Ms. Anicia Catameo discussed about the Regional Research Fund. She oriented the proponents on how to prepare Line Item Budget properly.

Furthermore, Dr. Ophelia Mendoza and the Research Management Committee members continued to provide technical assistance to the proponents for them to be able to complete their health research proposals. Proponents made immediate corrections in their papers based on the commendations of RMC.

In the afternoon, Dr. Ophelia Mendoza lectured about Definition of Variables and Data Collection. This was considered as useful for the proponents to properly prepare and collect the data they will obtain in the future.

During the third day of the activity after the plenaries, Dr. Lucia P. Dauz, the EVHRDC Coordinator presented the DOST8 guidelines in preparing Line Item Budget. The accounting staff of DOST 8, Ms. Lourdes Salvatierra and Ms. Evelyn Elbore were also around to help the proponents to properly develop Line Item Budget based on DOST8 guidelines. The proponents again presented their final revision including the Line Item Budget.

The Research Management Committee members approved eight (8) research proposals as technically sound for funding consideration by EVHRDC. The following proposals were endorsed to Ethics review committee for ethical clearance.

Moreover, Dr. Lucia P. Dauz, the EVHRDC Coordinator delivered the remarkable Closing Message to encourage the researchers to push through with their research proposals despite the setbacks.

: Super User; Regional Updates; 25 August 2017; Hits: 2058

Study on Leptospira, HRDCR IV-A's first, 1st place in the PNHRS Oral Research Presentation

The study entitled "Prevalence of Leptospira in Abattoir Workers, Slaughtered Animals and Abattoir Environment in Cavite, Philippines" by Dr. Norbel A. Tabo of the De La Salle University-Dasmarinas was awarded 1st place in the 11th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Oral Research Presentation, Professional Category. This was held on August 24-25, 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City. This is the HRDCR IV-A's first 1st place at the PNHRS Oral Research Presentation. Below is the abstract of the study.

ABSTRACT

Leptospirosis is known to be endemic in the Philippines with disease incidence that peaks during rainy season or after heavy rains in flood-prone areas. During summer, occupationally at-risk groups such as farmers, abattoir workers, and garbage collectors are affected. Strategies to prevent and control leptospirosis have been done for years yet the number of cases continues to be high. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Leptospira among abattoir workers and slaughtered animals, and Leptospira serovars in slaughtered animals and abattoir environment in Cavite, Philippines.Serum samples obtained from 46 abattoir workers and 69 slaughtered animals were subjected to microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The MAT-screening positive sera were further subjected to MAT quantitation with a cut-off titer of 400 in humans and 20 in animals. The urine of 69 slaughtered animals and 72 environmental samples were subjected to culture. Culture-positive samples were subjected to rrl-PCR, flaB-PCR and serotyping using monoclonal/polyclonal antibodies.

The results showed that 15.2% of abattoir workers in selected abattoirs of Cavite province were positive for Leptospira-agglutinating antibodies, that reacted with serovars Canicola, Hurtsbridge, Losbanos, Poi and Ratnapura. These workers were assigned in dehairing, abattoir cleaning and butchering of pigs, and gut removal, gut cleaning, hide removal, and butchering in cows. On the other hand, the overall Leptospira-seropositivity in slaughtered animals was 58.0%, 61.7% of which was in pigs and 33.3% in cows. The most frequently occurring serovar in pigs was Poi with 38.3%, followed by Icterohaemorrhagiae strain Ictero No. 1 (18.3%), Copenhageni (16.7%), Semaranga (10.0%) and Icterohaemorrhagiae strain RGA (8.3%). However, the most frequently occurring serovar in cows was Poi (22.2%).Twenty five percent (18/72) of the environmental samples were positive for Leptospira. Of these, 5 samples were positive for flaB-PCR. These samples were considered as pathogenic and were observed in Noveleta, Imus City and Bacoor City abattoir. Of the five pathogenic isolates, one isolate reacted with serogroup Grippotyphosa while the remaining four isolates did not react with any of the monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. On the other hand, none of the 69 urine samples were positive for culture.

The presence of common serovars at the interface of both abattoir workers-slaughtered animals, and slaughtered animals-abattoir environment could indicate continual source of leptospires and could pose problems on human health. These serovars could be potential candidates for the development of vaccines and diagnostic tests.

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