The NIH Study Groups

1. Advanced Studies and Research in Orthopedics (ASTRO)

Convenor: Emmanuel P. Estrella, MD

Objectives:

To promote basic, clinical, science and technology research and development in the field of orthopaedics and related disorders.
To advance the development of the ASTRO Study Group and research program in line with NIH research agenda.
To establish a mechanism for the dissemination and utilization of the research outputs of the ASTRO Study Group.
To complement ongoing programs such as the Masters in Orthopedics of the University of the Philippines Manila and faculty research human resources training in the University.
To ensure that the results of the health research and development activities are utilized to improve the quality of health care of the Filipino people with various orthopaedic and related disorders.

On-going Projects:

Book chapter in “Manual of Orthopedic Emergencies”

Chapter on Amputations
Chapter on Diabetic Extremity Infection

Brachial Plexus Injuries in Adults (for publication)

2. Enteric Disease

Convenor: Raul V. Destura, MD

Objective:

Research efforts on the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of enteric diseases that continue to be our country’s major health concern.

On-going Projects:

High Throughput Simultaneous Detection of Waterborne Parasitosis from Household, Recreational and Environmental Water Samples using Microarray Technology
Prevalence of Parasitic Infection and Colonization in HIV infected persons at the Philippine General Hospital

3. Child Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation (CANE)

Convenor: Bernadette J. Madrid, MD

Objectives:

To build the evidence-based on what works in the primary prevention and intervention for child abuse and neglect in the Philippines.
To provide policy makers and program implementers with the information they need to come up with effective policies and strategies that can be taken to scale nationally to decrease the prevalence of child abuse and neglect.

On-going Projects:

Phase 1 of the National Study of Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in the Philippines
Phase 2 Global Kids Online - Philippines

4. Health Emergencies and Disaster (HEAD)

Convenor: Carlos Primero D. Gundran, MD

Objectives:

To achieve excellence in research in the field of emergency health and disasters.
To involve multispecialty experts in the field of emergency health and disasters.
To establish institutional linkages with government, NGO, academic and private sector stakeholders, both in the national and international settings.

On-going Project:

Determination of the Incidence of Injuries from Vehicular Crashes in the Philippines

5. Health Law

Convenor: Lilian A. de Las Llagas, PhD

Objectives:

To conduct researches which would be the bases for the development of local statutes as well as substantive law and jurisprudence.
To create a proactive critical interdisciplinary mass responsible for discussions and analysis of health issues in relation to health laws
To advocate for health protection, promotion and disease prevention.

On-going Project:

Updating the Philippine Health Law Book

6. HIV/AIDS

Convenor: Reynaldo H. Imperial, PhD

Objective:

To undertake prevention research, advocacy platforms and technical advice to mitigate the spread of HIV and AIDS in the Philippines.

On-going Projects:

Evaluation of the HIV AIDS Education and Counselling Services among OFWs part 3
Glam for Life – Medical and Nutritional Support for Filipinos Living with HIV Year 4
ASRH and HIV Intervention in Tacloban City

7. Injury Prevention and Control

Convenors: Ramon L. Arcadio, MD

Benjamin J. Sablan, MD

Objectives:

To gather, organize and interpret epidemiologic data on childhood injuries.
To identify risk factors involved in childhood injuries.
To study and propose interventions to reduce the incident of childhood injuries.

On-going Projects:

“Occupational Health and Safety Laws: A Comparative Study between the Philippines and Kenya”
Review of Occupational Health and Safety of Miners in Benguet, 2015.
Flooding Disasters in Selected Cities in Metro Manila
Occupational Health and Safety among Assembly-Line workers in a beverage and bottling company
Occupational Health and Safety of Jeepney Drivers in Manila

8. Neglected Tropical Diseases

Convenor: Vicente Y. Belizario, MD

Objectives:

To propose and implement research projects and/or programs on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in collaboration with stakeholders such as Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Deprtment of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), and local government units (LGUs)
To disseminate the results of various studies conducted on NTDs
To provide technical support to stakeholders on prevention and control of NTDs

On-going Projects:

Parasitological and Hemoglobin Assessment of Preschool-Age Children in Selected Municipalities in the Provinec of Masbate
War on Worms - Western Visayas
War on Worms – Davao del Norte
Collection of Stool Samples for the Development of a New Diagnostic Tool for Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections (PATH)
War on Worms Lapu-Lapu City: Technical Assistance for School-Based Helminth Control in Public Elementary and High Schools in Five Selected Barangays in Lapu-Lapu City (MCIAA)

9. NIH Nursing Development

Convenor: Josefina A. Tuazon, DrPH, RN

Objectives:

To undertake researches addressing problems in nursing practice, education and management
To disseminate research findings
To create opportunities for and encourage utilization of research findings

On-going Project:

Determinants of Rural Retention of Human Resources for Health

10. Occupational and Environmental Health

Convenor: Jinky Leilanie P. Lu, MD

Objectives:

To conduct an occupational and safety researches
To Convene consultative meetings and workshops to discuss the state of occupational safety here and abroad

On-going Projects:

Investigation of OHS in Small Scale Mining Industries in the Philippines
Pesticide Residue Assessment in Benguet

11. Oral Health

Convenor: Susan Yanga-Mabunga, DDM

Objectives:

To promote evidence based oral health reforms for UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.
The group will conduct policy researches to support reforms in the health system
Conduct burden of disease and QOL studies to support reforms.
Establish a fluoride testing lab to ensure that toothpastes sold in the country contain the effective amount free fluoride ion.

On-going Projects:

UNP Project of the UPCD Centennial Planning of the protocol for the evaluation research on Fluoride Varnish Application on Children Ages 1 to 3 years old
Fluoride Laboratory at UPNIH or UP CD

12. Rational Drug Use

Convenor: Isidro C. Sia, MD

Objectives:

To conduct action-oriented research regarding improved use of medicines in the home and in the community
To produce information materials to help improve use of medicines in the home and in the community

On-going Projects:

Production of information-education-communication (IEC) materials, and conduct of training on rational use of medicines (RUM) for selected areas in the Philippines
Assessment and Impact of the Philippine National Drug Formulary

13. UP-Musculoskeletal

Convenor: Edward HM Wang, MD

Objective:

To establish a musculoskeletal tumor clinic where all tumor and tumor-like cases, whether bony or soft tissue, of the spine and extremities, referred to the Department of Orthopedics, UP-PGH, are treated.

On-going Projects:

Soft Tissue Sarcoma in the Asia Pacific Region (STAR) Program
Risk Factors for Recurrence after Intralesional Surgery for Giant Cell Tumor
Survival rates in non-metastatic Filipino Osteogenic sarcoma patients receiving complete treatment
Metastatic patterns in Osteosarcoma in Filipino patients
The elation of tumor necrosis and survival among pediatric osteosarcoma: A 5-year retrospective study in the Philippine General Hospital

14. UP Prime TB

Convenor: Camilo C. Roa, Jr., MD

Objective:

To develop and implement a comprehensive and hospital-wide PGH TB Control Program aligned to international and national standards which will improve diagnosis, treatment and control of tuberculosis through its service, training and research activities.

On-going Projects:

Screening for Tuberculosis Among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Multi-Center Study
The Usefulness of Microscopic Observed Direct Susceptibility Assay in A Level II Lab for Detecting Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

15. UP-PGH Colorectal Polyp and Cancer

Convenor: Marie Dione P. Sacdalan, MD

Objective:

To determine the incidence, quality of multi-modal care, treatment outcomes, and quality of life indices of patients with colorectal cancer and polyphs, through the development of a hospital-wide database.

On-going Projects:

The Incidence of Synchronous Colorectal Lesions in the Philippines
Colorectal Cancer in the young: A 5-year Tertiary Hospital Experience

16. Vaccines

Convenor: Lulu C. Bravo, MD

Objectives:

To give socialized training for all personnel (doctors, nurses and healthcare workers) involved in vaccination programmes.
To have adequate services regarding: accessibility of vaccine supplies, particularly of vaccine itself, vaccine record cards and registration materials and vaccine information sheets.
To provide a venue for research regarding the new emerging vaccines, its efficacy, surveillance, compliance and adverse reactions
To facilitate discussions regarding problems as well as updates on the current vaccination status in the country.
To coordinate with other concerned agencies regarding its information education dissemination.

On-going Projects:

Community and Hospital Burden of Norovirus Disease in Children
Phase III, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Investigate the Efficacy, Safety and Immunogenicity of a Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine (TDV) Administered Subcutaneously in Healthy Children Aged 4-16 Years Old
Efficacy and Immunogenicity Study of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine Administered via the Intramuscular Route in Healthy Children Aged 6 to 35 Months
Immunogenicity and Safety of Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine Given in 1-, 2-, or 3- Dose Schedules (STAGE I) Followed by a Single Booster Injection of the Same Vaccine (STAGE II) 1 or 2 Years after the Last Primary Dose in Healthy Subjects 9 to 50 Years of Age in Colombia and Philippines

17. NIH Bioethics

Convenors: Cristina E. Torres, PhD

Objective:

To establish a central resource for research in bioethics that can serve the needs of the University of the Philippines system and the relevant agencies of the government, other research institutions and research stakeholders in the country, and the general public

On-going Project: