Last March 7, 2014, the Philippine Council for Health Research & Development (PCHRD) held the 2nd PNHRS Steering Committee Meeting at Racks Restaurant, El Pueblo De Real, Ortigas and there were 25 participants from different institution/agencies attended the meeting.
“A world without leprosy” is the vision behind the creation of LEARNS or Leprosy Alert Response Network and Surveillance, the first mobile phone-based leprosy referral system.
Leprosy is a skin and nerve disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Its early signs include pale or reddish skin patches and diminished sensation. Before treatment became available, leprosy patient suffered gradual progressive nerve damage, and became crippled and blind.
Although leprosy is a curable disease, the Philippines still has 11 leprosy endemic areas. Leprosy remains hidden and untreated in these areas because of stigma, as reported by Dr. Ernesto S. Villalon of the National Leprosy Control Program during the 1st eHealth Summit.
As explained by Dr. Villalon, the LEARNS is valuable in identifying new leprosy case, particularly in areas where access to health care is restricted by poor communications and geographic isolation. By using the LEARNS-equipped mobile phone, health workers may refer suspected cases of leprosy by sending pictures of skin patch and other skin descriptions to leprosy expert or health care provider. Once the expert diagnosed it as leprosy, a medication plan will be given to patients.
Aside from diagnosis, LEARNS also helps in leprosy surveillance by generating reports and maps of hyperendemic areas. Today, LEARNS is being pilot-tested in Region 6.
This initiative of the Department of Health is in partnership with the Novartis Healthcare Philippines and Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development.
Health research stakeholders will gather again for the 6th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week celebration on August 8 - 10, 2012 to be held at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. With the theme, “Sustaining Research Partnerships for Better Health,” the event emphasizes the healthy cooperation of research stakeholders to generate new knowledge and innovations in support of the country’s Kalusugang Pangkalahatan agenda.
Following the success of the 1st National Medical Writing and Peer Review Workshop held in Cebu City last 19-20 January, 2012, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST), in collaboration with the Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors (PAMJE) and Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME), will hold the 2nd National Medical Writing and Peer Review Workshop on July 26-27, 2012 at the Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City.
"From margin to mainstream: mobile technologies transforming lives and libraries."
Mobile technology has transformed so many aspects of our lives: how we work, how we communicate, how we study and how we play. This conference will explore and share work carried out in libraries around the world to deliver services and resources to users via a growing plethora of mobile and hand-held devices.