First virtual WV health research confab set

Iloilo City — Researchers, health practitioners, students, academic institutions, and other stakeholders will once again convene in a biennial event dubbed the 4th Western Visayas Health Research Conference on October 14-15, 2021.

The region’s health research and development arm, the Western Visayas Health Research Development Consortium (WVHRDC), leads the conduct of this year’s health conference in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST VI) and the Department of Health – Center for Health Development in Western Visayas (DOH CHD WV).

With the theme “Preparing for the Future:  Sharing of Research and Practices of CoViD-19 Prevention and Control”, the online event focuses on communicating health research results to users.

The best health researchers, innovations, and practices conducted in the region will also be given recognition through the conduct of various competitions, namely Scientific Poster Competition (Student and Professional Categories), Short Film Contest (Student Category), and Idea Generation Contest (Professional Category).  In this time of pandemic health crisis, the research conference will serve as an excellent venue for various stakeholders to come up with health solutions through research development.

Apart from the contests, panel discussions are set for the Local Government Units and National Government Agencies (NGAs).  The virtual scientific discussion for the LGUs will be joined by Mayor Jerry P. Trenas of Iloilo City, Mayor Raul N. Banias of Concepcion, Iloilo and Mayor Liecel M. Seville of New Lucena, Iloilo.  Moreover, subject matter experts from the NGAs are DOST VI Regional Director Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, DOH CHD WV Regional Director, Dr. Adriano P. Suba-an, and Ms. Meylene C. Rosales, OIC Office of the Regional Director of the National Economic Development Authority Region VI (NEDA).  The discussions will be guided by the topic, “Challenges, Solutions, Ideas and Best Practices in Managing the CoViD-19 Pandemic”.

Notable personalities will also compose the speakers for the plenary sessions to share relevant and vital information focusing on significant findings and researches, and also to provide updates on the current health situation in the region.

The plenary speakers are Dr. Vicente. Belzario, Jr., Dean, University of the Philippines – Manila College of Public Health, Dr, Benjamin G. Co, Section Chief – Infectious Diseases, University of Sto. Tomas Hospital, DOH CHD WV Local Health Support Division Head, Dr. Ma. Sophia S. Pulmones and Philippine Genome Center Executive Director, Dr. Cynthia P. Saloma.

The keynote speech of Dr. Anna Lisa T. Ong-Lim, Professor and Attending Pediatrician at the University of Philippines and the Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) will complete the virtual event.  “We can defend our families against Delta and other CoViD-19 variants if we are vigilant and get vaccinated”, shares Dr. Lim.

This two-day conference is part of the 2021 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration pre-event activities of DOST VI.  Event schedule, topics, and registration links are available at https://www.facebook.com/wvhrdcconference. Do not miss the talks and discussions, register now.  (SSalazar/DOST VI-KMU)