Health research, innovation confab to encourage medical research

CVCHRD chairman Dr. Manuel Emerson Donaldo (left) says the consortium encourages medical research in Central Visayas as CVCHRD vice chair Dr. Thelma La Rosa-Fernandez (center) and DOST assistant regional director for technical operations and CVCHRD coordinator Jesus Zamora Jr.(right)  listens. /Irene R. Sino Cruz

CEBU CITY, Philippines—The Central Visayas Consortium for Health Research and Development (CVCHRD) is set to hold a two-day health research and innovative conference next month.

Medical research will take the center stage at the 2019 Central Visayas Health Research and Innovative Conference scheduled on May 9 and 10, 2019, said Jesus Zamora Jr., assistant regional director for Department of Science and Technology (DOST) technical operations division.

Zamora said the conference, which will be held at the CIT University, aims to promote research among medical students and professionals on various medical concerns.

Another goal is to provide opportunities for research dissemination and utilization. The event will include plenary lectures and podium presentation for professional and student category as well as an exhibit, Zamora said during the recent Kapihan sa PIA.

Dr. Manuel Emerson Donaldo of CIM-Cebu Velez General Hospital, who chairs the CVDHRD executive committee, said those who would like to conduct a medical research could apply for funding assistance with the DOST.

Zamora said the DOST in Central Visayas could provide up to P500,000 funding assistance for approved medical research.

Dr. Thelma La Rosa-Fernandez, vice chair of CVCHRD and director of Cebu Institute of Medicine Office of Academic and International Linkages, said medical research form part of their curriculum.

Fernandez said they also encourage their students to go into research. The topics include: Substance Use Disorder, its risk factors and social dimension; Social jetlag among Filipinos; Healthy Aging; and Wellness and Wellbeing – its role in anti-aging and regenerative medicine, among others.

The CVCHRD, which is composed hospitals, educational institutions and government agencies, is the regional arm of the DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, which in turn is the lead coordinating body of health research in the country.

The CVCHRD promotes the use of health research findings and serves as the clearing house for all health and health-related researches./dcb