"Giving voice to evidence for better health"

The Institute of Clinical Epidemiology (ICE) is one of the components of the National Institutes of Health - University of the Philippines Manila. The creation of the Institute was approved during the 1107 meeting of the Board of Regents on 17 April 1997. The primary role of the Institute is to conduct rigorous relevant research for the improvement of health care using the principles of clinical epidemiology and its related disciplines and to provide technical services in support of research development. The secondary role of the Institute is to advocate for and help in the teaching of graduate and undergraduate programs in Clinical Epidemiology in the Department of Clinical Epidemiology, UP College of Medicine.                              

The Institute is steered by its Director who also serves concurrently as the Chair of the Department of Clinical Epidemiology of the UP College of Medicine as stipulated in the 1131 Meeting of the Board of Regents on 27 May 1999 which approved the creation of the Department of Clinical Epidemiology (DCE).                              

The Clinical Epidemiology Unit of the UP College of Medicine, the predecessor of ICE, pioneered the discipline of clinical epidemiology in the country. Through the leadership of Dr Ernesto Domingo and Dr Mary Ann Lansang, the discipline of clinical epidemiology was propagated and institutionalized in the country. The Institute and the Department pioneered the teaching and practice of evidence-based medicine through training workshops across the country. The Institute and the Department continues to train a critical mass of clinical epidemiologists through its Diploma and Master program and provides capacity building research related workshops adapted to the needs of various health care providers. The discipline has since evolved as a dynamic and relevant resource in the research environment.                              

Over the years, ICE has established itself as a leader in conducting clinical epidemiologic researches that served as basis for health policies and clinical practice guidelines. The Institute is recognized for its expertise in doing health systems and policy research, program monitoring and evaluation, implementation researches that provide guidance on the direction of health programs and policies in the country. Its faculty has been in the forefront of issues of public health importance, advocating for rigorous and ethical conduct of researches, independent critical appraisal of evidence towards the formulation of evidence-based recommendations and health policies. ICE also has established its role as a reliable resource for technical assistance in clinical research, health policy and systems research, statistical analysis, database design and data management.                              

In 2018, Chancellor Carmencita Padilla recommended that the governance of the Institute and the Department of Clinical Epidemiology be distinct positions and not concurrent for administrative and operational efficiency. Recognizing the evolving landscape in research and education in the University, the Institute and Department agreed to have a separate Director and Chair for optimal operations and to enable both units to focus on their respective mandates. While the Department and Institute will be administratively managed separately, the faculty of both units will continue to collaborate in all activities in fulfillment of its respective goals, mission and vision.