“Poor sanitation greatly contributes to water pollution in the Philippines leading to higher cost of water and secondly, affecting our rivers and lakes in terms of the reduction and production of aquatic life. This calls for a feasible, inexpensive and sustainable solution,”

 Best Mentor in Health Research Award

Submission of Entries to Consortia/PSS: February 9, 2015

Submission of Entries to DOST-PCHRD: February 13, 2015

Click here to download the Best Mentor in Health Research Award Recommendation Form

For inquiries, please call Ms. Sabrina Elechosa at (02)837-7535

Global Forum on Research and Innovation on Health Forum 2015 opens channel for discussion on some of the most pressing health issues worldwide through the Global Health Debates on 23-27 August 2015 in Manila, Philippines.

The Global Health Debates is an international debating tournament that will bring the best collegiate debaters from all around the globe to Manila for an exciting week of battle of wits, ideas, and knowledge on relevant international health issues.

The tournament will follow the British Parliamentary Format of debate with various talking points to be derived from the topics tackled in the sessions of Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health 2015.

The Adjudication Core, the group of presiding officials during the tournament, is composed of some of the world’s celebrated debaters including Dr. Lee Edson P. Yarcia of UP Diliman College of Law, Mr. Syed Saddiq of International Islamic University of Malaysia, Ms. Gemma Buckley of Monash University, Mr. John McKee of University of Glasgow, Mr. Dan Corder of the University of Cape Town, and Mr. Josh Zofer of Harvard University.

Teams of debaters with strong health background from all over the world are expected to participate in the tournament. The grand champion will walk away with US$3,000 prize.

The Global Health Debates is organized by Health Sector Catalysts (HSC) and the University of the Philippines Manila - Debate Circle (UPMDC). For more information, please visit http://www.globalhealthdebates.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Herbal plant known locally as busikad (Kyllinga brevifolia) may ease anxiety according to a study done by Pharmacy students at the San Pedro College in Davao City.

Busikad is a local medicinal plant grown locally across the country. Traditionally processed into tea, many local communities use busikad for its sedative property.

Laboratory examinations done by the students found huge amount of kaemferol in busikad. Kaemferol is a plant compound known to have antianxiety properties.

Researchers gave busikad leaves processed into capsules to laboratory mice that were subjected into various stressful games and activities. The stress-inducing activities on the mice elicited behavioural changes known to be signs of high level of anxiety such as increased stretching postures, grooming, freezing, and inhibition to explore open spaces, among others.

Comparing busikad’s effectiveness with that of Diazepam, a well-known brand of antianxiety medication, researchers found that doses of busikad capsule are as effective as the branded drug in relieving anxiety in mice. Research result showed that mice given with busikad capsules stopped showing behavioural signs of high level of anxiety at the same rate as those given with Diazepam.

Researchers discussed the importance of drug discovery and development in native Philippine plants, such as the busikad. They explained that with increasing cost of manufactured drugs, it is time to engage in finding alternative solution in local plants.

The study, entitled, “The Anxiolytic Activity of Kaemferol Fraction from Busikad (Kyllinga brevifolia) Leaves in Capsule Formation,” won third prize at the recently concluded Gruppo Medica Awards during the 8th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) week celebration on August 12-14, 2014 in Cebu City.