“The single most important health problem in the world is not a disease but the problem of inequity within nations and among nations,” this was the striking message of National Scientist Dr. Ernesto Domingo during his keynote speech at Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week in Baguio City on 6-9 August 2018.

As a Ramon Magsaysay Foundation awardee, Dr. Domingo shared his experiences and the bigger role of being a scientist researcher in achieving universal healthcare and health equity. He said, “the conduct of research is certainly metamorphosing from the simple pleasure of knowing to the more heroic imperative of ameliorating.”

For Dr. Domingo, dedicated and passionate scientist-researchers are key to achieving universal health care. Based from his first hand experiences, he shared three qualities of a good researcher.

First,  a good researcher has  genuine interest to find answers. According to Dr. Domingo, although curiosity is a primordial engine of research, the researchers’ desire and conduct of work is also a factor in the generating beneficial research. He emphasized that a researcher intention should go beyond the material merits and pleasure instead should root from the pure desire and limitless energy to produce research results for the betterment of mankind.

Second, behind a good researcher is a good mentor. Dr. Domingo revealed that his mentor is Dr. Kenneth Warren, an American scientist, physician, educator, and public health advocate. Dr. Domingo narrated how he grew as a scientist under Dr. Warren’s mentorship.  As per Dr. Domingo, being a mentor doesn’t mean occasionally giving advice but endowing trust and confidence to the mentee. Dr. Domingo said, “A good nurturing environment or mentor is key in supporting, advocating, and facilitating the journey or career of a researcher.”

Finally,  researcher’s readiness to do hard work is the final key into becoming a successful researcher. Dr. Domingo stressed that productivity is not a product of brilliance but the ability of a researcher to absorb tremendous work.  Dr. Domingo explained that doing research is a lifetime commitment because it does not stop in getting  master and doctoral degrees. Instead, conducting research requires a lot of patience and determination to produce significant results that could lead to technological breakthroughs and other discoveries.

PASAY CITY, Metro Manila- It’s every student’s dream to graduate college. But for some such as the scholars of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), undergraduate degree is not enough, they should finish their MD-PhD as well!

Four scholars, first batch of the MD-PhD Molecular Medicine Program, participated the hooding ceremony for their doctoral degree during the 109^th Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila on 22 June 2018 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Among the scholars who successfully surpassed the eight-year coursework of the program are Dr. Ruby Anne King, Dr. Monica Fresthel Climacosa, Dr. Bobbie Marie Santos, and Dr. Jonnel Poblete.

The MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine Program is a joint initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through PCHRD, and UP Manila, through the College of Medicine, to train aspiring physician-scientists for careers dedicated to the advancement of health through biomedical research.

Being the first and only program in the country that offers dual MD-PhD course, the MD-PhD Molecular Medicine Program prepares scholars to assume key leadership roles within the academic community and mentor physician-scientists in training.

PCHRD Executive Director Jaime Montoya also awarded the “Most Outstanding MD-PhD Dissertation Award” to Dr. Monica Fresthel Climacosa, during the UP College of Medicine Graduation.

Congratulations to the proud parents!

15th National Medical Writing Workshop and 8th Writeshop for Young Researchers
Zamboanga City, Philippines
29-30 January 2019

Application deadline: October 15, 2018
REGISTRATION IS FREE (limited slots only)

The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development (ZCHRD), in cooperation with Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors (PAMJE) and Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME) is organizing the 15th National Medical Writing Workshop and 8th Writeshop for Young Researchers on 27-31 January 2019 in Zamboanga City. The workshop aims to help young investigators in health and health social sciences acquire practical knowledge and skills in preparing a scientific article for publication in a scholarly peer-reviewed journal. Successful applicants will be granted free workshop registration, accommodation for participants and meals during the workshop, and assigned to a mentor-facilitator who will guide them in preparing their articles for a brief presentation.

Requirements for participants

The workshop is designed for a maximum of forty (40) researchers in health sciences and health social sciences, aged 35 years old and below, who have a research project completed not more than 2 years ago and have drafted a manuscript for submission to a scholarly journal. The selected draft manuscripts will be reviewed and revised during the workshop, based on the lectures and exercises, under the guidance of the faculty and mentor – facilitators. All participants are expected to present a 7-minute power point summary of their revised manuscripts on the second day of the workshop, and agree to submit the article to an appropriate scholarly peer-reviewed journal within three (3) months after the workshop.

Instructions

Applicants should e-mail the following requirements to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before 15 October, 2018

Please use this subject format in your email: Application_15th Wrtieshop_(Surname)
Please save your documents in this format: Application form_(Surname), Conforme Slip_(Surname), Abstract_(Surname), Manuscript_(Surname), ITA_(Surname)

The results of the selection of participants for the Workshop will be communicated on November 10, 2018.

If there are any questions about the Workshop, please contact Ms. Catherine Joy C. Dimailig (email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or tel no: (02) 837-7534.)

BAGUIO CITY- The 12^th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week is set to stage in the Summer Capital of the Philippines!

The health research community will celebrate the annual event on 6-9 August 2018 at CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, Baguio City.

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), in collaboration with the Cordillera Regional Health Research Development Consortium (CRHRDC), will organize this year’s conference.

Highlighting the theme “Research and Innovation for Equity in Health,” PNHRS 2018 will discuss the current situation, challenges, and advancements to improve health and equity through reinforced health research and innovation in the regions and local communities.

Plenary and parallel sessions of the main conference will cover topics including governance and equity in health, translating research to public health programs, and strengthening research offices of higher education institutes (HEIs) and research and development institutions (RDIs).

Satellite events will also include sessions and workshops such as the “14^th National Medical Writing Workshop & 7^th Writeshop for Young Researchers,” the “Technical Evaluation of DRR-CCA Proposals,” the “Communication Campaigns: Designing Effective Collaterals,” the “Enhancing the Quality of Monitoring Data from Consortia,” and the “Consultation on the Conduct of Clinical Investigation of Medical Devices.”

PNHRS Week is a gathering of different stakeholders in health research and development to contribute research-based solutions to health problems. For the program, please visit www.healthresearch.ph.