Three of the Philippine Council’s for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) research programs and technologies were featured in the recent tech-media conference, DOST’s Big 20 in 2020, held on 20 February 2020 at the Hotel Jen, Pasay City. The conference is a kickoff activity to a series of launching and engagements for the promotion of the Department’s programs and technologies for the year 2020.
For Biomedical Engineering and Health Technologies (BEHT), three projects were highlighted namely: ReliefVent, RxBox, and the Biotek M Dengue Aqua Kit. Currently, the technologies are focusing on commercialization and roll-out efforts. The ReliefVent, a portable ventilator, has been redesigned and enhanced to be deployed in the hospitals for field testing. Similarly, the RxBox is set to undergo re-testing in selected health centers nationwide. Meanwhile, the Manila HealthTek, Inc., manufacturing company of the Biotek M, continues to work with the DOST-PCHRD in rolling out the technology to more users in the provinces. To showcase related technologies by Filipino scientists, the DOST-PCHRD partnered with the De La Salle University in organizing the 1st Philippine National Biomedical Engineering Conference this 18 March 2020.
Another highly-anticipated output is the world’s first anti-dengue herbal drug being developed under the DOST-PCHRD Tuklas LunasTM research program. Years in the making, the drug is currently undergoing clinical studies, expected to end April 2020. Once trials are completed and the drug is proven safe and effective, the anti-dengue herbal drug will supply the demand for an affordable cure for dengue.
Also featured in the BIG 20 in 2020 is the launching of the Philippine Genome Center satellite facility in the Visayas in April 2020. Under the PCHRD’s OMICS for Health research program, this facility aims to enhance the capabilities of the regions in the field of genomics research on health, agriculture as well as marine resources which are abundant in the Visayas, contributing to the overall development of the region.
Aside from these programs, the public can look forward to more projects under the nine DOST-PCHRD research priorities. To know more about PCHRD-supported technologies, stay tuned to the DOST-PCHRD Facebook page (@dostpchrd), Twitter (@DOST_PCHRD), and website (pchrd.dost.gov.ph) for updates on official events and activities.
Source: http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/6517-three-pchrd-programs-in-dost-s-big-20-in-2020
