19th Philippine National Health Research Forum for Action
The National Health Research Forum for Action (NHFRA) is an event hosted by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) through the Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau.
Since 2001, the NHFRA has invited the exchange and dissemination of public health research and interaction between stakeholders in public health. It gathers researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders who believe in the critical and creative exchange of ideas, experiences and aspirations. It takes advantage of differing perspectives and expertise to apply research to policy and practice. The forum’s theme reflects the issues and concerns most relevant to the times, and it has covered a range of themes addressing the current and emerging health needs of Filipinos moving toward the goal of universal healthcare.
Different partnerships have been formed through the NHFRA, and research has been disseminated via the DOH Health System and Research Management (HSRM) Program, which later became known as the Advancing Health through Evidenced Decisions with Health Policy and Systems Research (AHEAD-HPSR) Program.
To date, the DOH has commissioned more than 300 research projects through these programs, which were outsourced to external research providers, such as the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), and Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). Most of these research topics focused on health policy and systems research, and some were designed to address program-specific needs. While both HSRM and AHEAD-HPSR are intended to deliver quality and timely evidence to inform policy, plans and program development; they also aim to build health sector research capacity, especially health policy and systems research.
Investing in health policy and systems research is an indispensable part of the universal health care strategy. Ultimately, HPSR is envisioned as the catalyst for instilling a culture of evidence and accountability in the health sector. To this day, the NHFRA continues to serve as a relevant and dynamic platform to advance collaborations among researchers, policymakers and policy entrepreneurs, building a strong culture of research not just within the DOH, but within the entire health sector.
This year, the 19th NHRFA will facilitate more regional and international engagement with research partners and collaborators to expand the audience reach and forge stronger networking. The forum will include sessions on service delivery; health workforce; health system financing; access to essential medicine; leadership, governance, and health information systems; social determinants of health; and regional consortia presentations.
Preparations for any collaborative event or forum include a lot of planning and are usually not confined to just one sector or group of individuals. The forum covers a wide range of health topics with different applications, tapping individuals with different professions in the process.
Lessons learned
In order to maintain a systematic process in planning and execution, constant communication is essential. It is important to be mindful of the different backgrounds and fields of the individuals involved in the planning. Appropriate communication methods must be chosen for the people or groups being communicated with, considering how different perspectives, contexts and situations affect the meaning of our words.
In addition to being mindful of everyone’s respective backgrounds, it’s also important to understand how valuable everyone’s time is. No one should think that his or her time is more valuable than another person’s, no matter their position or level in society.
These are just a few of the things that are usually taken for granted during communication. Being mindful of the other person's background and placing equal value on their time will be perceived as being respectful. Having mutual respect will entail effective communication, which will serve as one of the building blocks of a successful partnership.
To learn more about the 19th NHRFA and to register your interest, please go to bit.ly/19thnhrfaREGISTER
Authors
Ms. Frances Rose Elgo-Mamaril, MPH, Director IV1, Ms. Hanzel Barrameda, Senior Health Program Officer - Health Research Division1.
1. Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this World EBHC Day Blog, as well as any errors or omissions, are the sole responsibility of the author and do not represent the views of the World EBHC Day Steering Committee, Official Partners or Sponsors; nor does it imply endorsement by the aforementioned parties.
