QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 8503)
The title of Republic Act No. 8503 is the "Health Research and Development Act of 1998."
The policy of the State is to improve the quality of life for every Filipino by establishing a center of excellence for health research and development.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is created and established at the University of the Philippines Manila.
The objectives include promoting science and technology research in health, developing study groups, establishing mechanisms for dissemination and utilization of research outputs, complementing graduate programs and faculty research training at UP Manila, and ensuring that research results improve the health of the people.
The NIH integrates the Institute of Ophthalmology, the Institute of Socio-Biomedical Research, the Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology for Health, and the Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, plus any other institutes created after the Act's effectivity at UP Manila.
The NIH is headed by an Executive Director who reports directly to the Chancellor of UP Manila.
The Executive Director must be a recognized scholar in health research and development and is appointed following existing UP rules and regulations.
The Board includes the Secretary of Health as chairman, the Chancellor of UP Manila as vice-chairman, the Executive Director of the PCHRD-DOST, and two recognized scholars appointed by the UP Board of Regents; the Executive Director of NIH serves as Member-Secretary.
The Board recommends general directions and priorities for the NIH, suggests research areas, recommends the establishment of units within the NIH, helps generate resources and support, and provides advice on research and administration.
The Act mandates that the public and other health institutions shall have access to research findings, facilities, and other resources of the Institutes, as provided in the implementing rules and regulations.
The NIH is tasked to establish research programs on health promotion, disease prevention and control, and to conduct studies on epidemiology, disease patterns, and emerging health problems.
The NIH acts as the nucleus of a network of health research institutions and may undertake research studies in partnership with institutions outside UP, allowing shared access to facilities while partner agencies retain administrative control.
The NIH develops component programs including the Health Product Cluster, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, Gerontology and Disabilities Cluster, Social and Humanistic Studies, and Health Care System Studies.
Initial funding shall come from the current appropriations of the respective NIH component units, with future funding included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The Board of Regents of UP, in coordination with DOH, DOST, and relevant organizations, must formulate the implementing rules and regulations necessary for the Act's implementation.