ANGARA: RP NEEDS NAT'L HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER

As the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that more people, particularly in the southern hemisphere, could be sick this season and that it would be premature to say the health risk is over, Senator Edgrado J. Angara emphasized the need for a national health research center called on legislators and the country's health experts. He stressed the need for avenues to discover cures and solutions to emerging viruses such as AH1N1.

According to the agency, more than 6,000 people died from A(H1N1) since the outbreak began in April, compared with up to 500,000 who die annually from the regular flu. Pregnant women, infants and people with underlying conditions such as respiratory problems are particularly vulnerable. "We need an institutionalized program that will advance research to address this problem. The establishment of a national health research system will serve as a potent key in fighting this epidemic and preventing other related diseases or viruses," Angara stressed.

He added that "a national research system will keep our citizens healthy and ready for any virus outbreak. Ensuring that health research is linked to the needs of the health system assures that the quality of health care will be provided to our countrymen,"

Philippine National Health Research System will build capabilities for health research and development activities and encourage individuals to pursue research as a career; ensure public access to the information and other outputs generated by the health research system and encourage the utilization of research results in the form of products, technologies, programs and services," added Angara.

Core agencies that will be involved in this policy are the Department of Health, the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), University of the Philippines Manila - National Institutes of Health (UPM-NIH) and the Commission on Higher Education.