CLHRDC in full swing

The Central Luzon Health Research and Development Consortium (CLHRDC) is an association of different government line agencies, hospitals and higher educational institutions in Central Luzon that aims at strengthening the collaborative efforts among these institutions, both private and public, in improving the health conditions of the people through enhanced undertaking of health research and management activities.

The CLHRDC is committed to undertake among others, the identification of priority regional health concerns as set forth by the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NHURA) as well as generate resources for health-related researches. It further aims to develop human resources, facilities and other infrastructure requirements for health and nutrition research activities. As the lead convenor for the CLHRDC, the DOST III calls for regular meetings to provide directions for the consortium and ensure the accomplishments of activities.

The identified CLHRDC priority areas which are aligned with the DOST-PCHRD and DOH priorities are as follows: (1) point of care (POC) technologies for infectious/tropical and lifestyle related diseases, (2) drug discovery and development, (3) telemedicine and medical informatics, development of devices for remote diagnosis and monitoring, (4) health service delivery and (5) genomic/molecular technology.

At present, the consortium works on a research entitled “Detection, Treatment and Prevention/Control of Tuberculosis in Region III: An Assessment” with La Consolacion University Philippines and Holy Angel University as the project heads.

To date, the consortium has eighteen (18) member-institutions which include: Department of Science and Technology III (DOST III), Department of Health, Commission on Higher Education III, Commission on Population, Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital, Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research Medical Center, Angeles University Foundation, Bataan Peninsula State University, Bulacan State University, Holy Angel University, La Consolacion University Philippines (formerly University of Regina Carmeli), Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Pampanga Agricultural College, Ramon Magsaysay Technological State University, Republic Central Colleges, Systems Plus College Foundation, Tarlac State University and University of the Assumption.

Membership in the consortium is open to interested parties who are required to submit a letter of intent, an endorsement from a founding member-institution of CLHRDC and a survey questionnaire which can be downloaded from the CLHRDC website. Benefits of membership in the consortium include: strengthening of research capabilities through complementation and sharing of resources; access to various human resources and institution development programs/projects of the consortium; and sharing of scientific information through library linkage and similar arrangements.(Article from BPSU RDO-BC)