Cagayan Valley researchers, scientists and experts attended a one-day seminar workshop on Basic High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Seminar Workshop at the Cagayan State University – Carig Campus, September 16.

The seminar was collaboration between the Department of Science and Technology Region 02 - CVHRDC, Cagayan State University – Carig Campus and the DKSH Group of Companies.

“Researchers and scientists too can now be rich and famous” stressed Dr. Maria Nilda P. Muñoz, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist on her talk about Quality Control and Instrumentation during the said seminar.

Dr. Muñoz said that by exploring research, one can be famous of producing good and quality products. Thus, she encouraged the country’s scientists and researchers to write more proposals specifically focusing on the priority areas for research of the Cagayan Valley Health Research and Development Consortium (CVHRDC) which includes herbal medicine. She then mentioned the main difficulties faced by researchers in herbal medicine research including the lack of equipment or facility, lack of research data, lack of appropriate control mechanisms, lack of education and training and lack of expertise.

The Diethelm Keller Siber Hegner or popularly known as the DKSH is situated at Zurich, Switzerland is known in the Philippines as one of the leading distributors of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) machines which Dr. Muñoz mentioned in her talk is essential in performing more quality and significant researches. HPLC is an analytical process to separate compounds dissolved in a solution.

The seminar was an answer to the problem on the lack of equipment in herbal researches which then featured the use of the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and its various applications on analyses.

Ms. Lisa T. Capsa, Account Executive on Life Sciences of DKSH, introduced the vision and mission of the company while Ms. Eileen Valeri P. Cruz, Applications Specialist, differentiated Gas Chromatography (GC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). She said that a right configuration is needed due to the high cost of HPLC.

“Teach everyone what you know” a tip shared by Dr. Muñoz to the participants on how better researches can be developed in the Region 2. Dr. Muñoz added that there should be no secrets within the consortium and that whoever knows a certain analyses technique should share within the members.

UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF HPLC. Ms. Eileen Valeri P. Cruz, DKSH Applications Specialist, shows to the participants the basic usage of the High Performance Liquid Chromatography machine.

Still winners at heart.

Alma Vinluan, a BS Pharmacy graduate from St. Paul University Philippines and the co-author of one of the three papers presented at the 7^th Philippine National Health Research Systems Week at Plaza del Norte, Paoay, Ilocos Norte on August 7-9, 2013 firmly said in an interview with the CVHRDC Gazette.

The three papers representing Region 2 were from St. Paul University Philippines (SPUP) and University of St. Louis – Tuguegarao (USLT), two of which papers competed for the  Student Research Competition while the other one for the Professional Category Poster Exhibit Contest.

The research paper from Ms. Melinda Caliguiran, Christensen A. Elizaga, Kerby P. Gacias, Olga Pamela A. Casuay, and Ariel A. Medrano of University of St. Louis- Tuguegarao City entitled “Fall back to Nature: Malunggay Tea (Moringa oleifera Lam) Against Pulmonary Tuberculosis” was qualified for the Poster Exhibit Contest  (Professional).

Meanwhile the papers from Lirio Joana Mae M. Balilia and Maria Jesicah B. Turaray of St. Paul University Philippines entitled “Comparison on Anti-Venom Properties of Sampalok (Tamarindus indica) Leaves Ethanolic Extract and Tubang-bakod (Jatropha curcas) Leaves Ethanolic Extract against the Venom of Philippine Cobra (Naja philippinensis) thru Different Routes of Administration” and from Reyvie T. Fabro and Alma T. Vinluan  also of  St. Paul University Philippines  entitled “ Antimutagenic Property of Papaya (Carica papaya) aqueous leaf extract against Norfloxacin-induced mutation of Samonella tyohimurium TA 102 Strain” were selected for the Student Research Presentation competition.

Earlier, three papers from the professional while also three from the student category qualified for the inter-regional screening last July. The selection was made by Ms. Marilyn E. Crisostomo (PCHRD), Dr. Dindo V. Asuncion (USLT), Dr. Roberto M. Macatunggal (ULS), Ms. Sandra M. Sangab (DOH-CHD) and Mrs. Wilma I. Santos (PCHRD)   last June 13-14, 2013.

The following papers selected for the professional category were as follows: “Fall back to nature: Malungay Tea (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Against Pulmonary Tuberculosis” by Kerby  P. Gacias, RN, Melinda G. Caliguiran, RN et.al from the University of St. Louis Tuguegarao, “The Effect of Dragon Fruit in Lowering Blood Glucose Level of Type 2 Diabetes Patients” by Victor T. Biñas, Vermeer T. Baquiran, et.al. from the University of St. Louis Tuguegarao, “The Effect of Saluyot (Corchorus olitorius Linn.) aqueous Leaf Extract on the Iron Level of Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus)”.

On the other hand, qualified papers for the student category were from Reyvie T. Fabro et.al of St. Paul University Philippines entitled “The Antimutagenic Property of Papaya (Carica papaya) Aqueous Extract Against Norfloxacin-Induced Mutation of  Salmonella typhimurium TA102 Strain” ; Lirio Joanna Mae M. Balilia, et.al from St. Paul University Philippines entitled “Comparison on Anti-Venom Properties of Sampalok (Tamarindus indica) Leaves Ethanolic Extract and Tubang-bakod (Jatropha curcas) Leaves Ethanolic Extract against the Venom of Philippines Cobra (Naja Philippinensis) thru Different Routes of Administration”; and from Agi B. Quinto et al., from St. Paul University Philippines entitled  “Phase I: Isolation and Identification of Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria in a Tertiary Level Public Hospital in Cagayan Valley”.

Call for Papers

14^th National Forum on Health Research for Action

Manila, Philippines

October 16-17, 2013

Theme:           “Ugnayan Pangkalusugan para sa Kalusugan Pangkalahatan- Partnerships in Evidence”

The Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau, Department of Health will be conducting the 14^th National Forum on Health Research for Action (NHRFA) on October 16-17, 2013 to be held in Manila, Philippines. The forum aims to showcase the current studies that will show the progress of implementing KP, done at the different levels of the health system and among partners in the health sector. The DOH recognizes the importance of partnerships in research to build more evidence to attain the objectives of KP. By forging partnerships, we can mark the accomplishments of KP experienced in the different levels of the health system and among partners in the health sector and its noteworthy implications to the public policy.

Authors are invited to submit research studies/papers for presentation in the forum. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the DOH KP thrusts:

• Health Care Financing
• Access to Quality Facilities
• Attainment of MDGs

INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES:

1. Submit an abstract (300-500 words) and/or executive summary (2-3pages) to:

Email:             This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Office:           Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau

2^nd F/Bldg. 3, San Lazaro Compound

Depatment of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila

2. The Executive Summary must include the following: a) Introduction/ Rationale ; b) Objective of the Study ; c) Research Questions ; d) Sampling and     Methodology ; e) Results and Findings ; f) Conclusions and Recommendations

3. Include the following additional information relative to your submission: a) name; b) position/profession; c) office; d) contact numbers and address; e) year study           started and completed; f) key terms

4. Deadline for submission of abstracts/executive summary is on September 20, 2013.

5. Submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Selection Committee with the following criteria:

• Aligned with the thrusts of KP and its measurement
• Present accomplishments, progress and best practices for KP
• Results has implications to public policy
• Results/recommendations has an effect on health outcomes/goals
• Scientific soundness of research methodology

6. Notice of acceptance will be sent out on or before September 27, 2013.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For other details, please contact:

Ms. Nita R. Valeza

Phone:           711-5377; 651-7800 local 1328

E-mail:            This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“When we use people-centered approach in our programs and initiatives, we show people that they are important, that they are the lifeblood of everything that we do. We show them that we are here, all partners in the health research community, to produce meaningful solutions to improve their lives” read Dr. Amelia P. Guevarra,, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, the supposed speech of Secretary Mario G. Montejo on the opening ceremonies of the 7^th Philippine National Health Research Systems Week at Plaza del Norte, Ilocos Norte, August 7-9.

This year’s celebration was themed “People at the Center of Health and Health Research”thus the relation of what Sec. Montejo said in his speech on becoming people centered. He further elaborated that the people-centered approach focused on “listening to people, respecting them, allowing them to make informed decisions, and involving them in crafting realistic and meaningful policies and actions”. Sec. Montejo stressed that the country is assured with better and more efficient health care delivery and services and also prompt and appropriate response to Filipinos needs. It was also mentioned that the Philippines will be hosting the Global Forum for Health Research in 2015.

According to Dr. Ma. Lourdes K. Otayza, Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium chair, the said celebration was aimed for the different stakeholders in health to interact, share information, voice concerns, and contribute research-based solutions to health problems.

The three-day event featured activities on Indigenous People’s Health, National Peer Review and health system shapers seminars, plenary sessions, Consortia staff meeting, research paper oral and poster exhibit competition for student and professional categories and fellowship night. The delegates were a blend of employees, teachers, students, and key officials from various health and research institutions belonging to the different regions in the Philippines.