An assessment of the performance of the regional health research consortia within the context of the PNHRS: A preliminary report

Background Health research consortia or committees (HRC) were established with technical and financial support from PNHRS to lead health research and development in the regionsHealth research consortia or committees (HRC) were established with technical and financial support from PNHRS to lead health research and development in the regions Regional HRC is composed of academic institutions and government agencies (DOH, DOST and CHED)Regional HRC is composed of academic institutions and government agencies (DOH, DOST and CHED) Setting research priorities, proposal development, conduct of researchesSetting research priorities, proposal development, conduct of researches

Objectives of Assessment Measure performance of HRC and review program of assistance Identify gaps and weaknesses Recommend measures to improve performance

Methodology SOME Committee initiated the development of an assessment framework based on agreed functions of HRC SOME Committee initiated the development of an assessment framework based on agreed functions of HRC Focus group and semi-structured discussions with: regional health researchers, members of the HRC, PCHRD staff Focus group and semi-structured discussions with: regional health researchers, members of the HRC, PCHRD staff Documents review: regional research agenda (RUHRA), HRC plans, accomplishment reports and organizational structure Documents review: regional research agenda (RUHRA), HRC plans, accomplishment reports and organizational structure

Results and Discussion 10 regions have been assessed starting January, regions have been assessed starting January, in Luzon (regions 3 and NCR), 2 in Visayas (regions 6 and 7), all regions in Mindanao 2 in Luzon (regions 3 and NCR), 2 in Visayas (regions 6 and 7), all regions in Mindanao Median duration of organizational existence: 3 years. (longest is region 11 (1985) and Caraga (2008) Median duration of organizational existence: 3 years. (longest is region 11 (1985) and Caraga (2008)

Results and Discussion Composition of HRC: academic institutions with strong r and d programs, highly motivated and skilled researchers, credible and committed champions for r and d Composition of HRC: academic institutions with strong r and d programs, highly motivated and skilled researchers, credible and committed champions for r and d Preparation, dissemination and utilization of the RUHRA: All regions have RUHRAS (2005), many need updating and systematic review, poorly disseminated, underutilized Preparation, dissemination and utilization of the RUHRA: All regions have RUHRAS (2005), many need updating and systematic review, poorly disseminated, underutilized

Results and Discussion Preparation and review of proposals and conduct of research studies: focus is on proposal development and review of small- scale studies, no attempt to address major research issues, only region 11 has completed researchesPreparation and review of proposals and conduct of research studies: focus is on proposal development and review of small- scale studies, no attempt to address major research issues, only region 11 has completed researches Availability of manpower, facilities and funding: No assessment of capacities based on priorities, no estimation of resource requirements, total dependence on PCHRD supportAvailability of manpower, facilities and funding: No assessment of capacities based on priorities, no estimation of resource requirements, total dependence on PCHRD support

Results and Discussion HRC plans and plan implementation: No long- term development plans except region 11 and possibly regions 3, 9 and 10. Delayed plan execution and low budget utilizationHRC plans and plan implementation: No long- term development plans except region 11 and possibly regions 3, 9 and 10. Delayed plan execution and low budget utilization Organizational structure, leadership and management: no one responsible for management tasks and responsibilities, work performed by committees are not coordinated, working committees of newly organized HRC are not functionalOrganizational structure, leadership and management: no one responsible for management tasks and responsibilities, work performed by committees are not coordinated, working committees of newly organized HRC are not functional

Results and Discussion Program of assistance to HRC: focus on short- term operational support, funding of small-scale projects, low budget utilization, not designed to address long-term development goals of HRC and respond to major regional health research issuesProgram of assistance to HRC: focus on short- term operational support, funding of small-scale projects, low budget utilization, not designed to address long-term development goals of HRC and respond to major regional health research issues

Recommendations: Overall Approach in Strengthening Regional Capacity 1)Reviewing and updating RUHRA and facilitating its application and utilization Conduct of systematic analysis and provide sufficient epidemiological, social, economic and political description of priority research areas.Conduct of systematic analysis and provide sufficient epidemiological, social, economic and political description of priority research areas. Translation of RUHRA into capacity building, resource mobilization and database management strategies and systemsTranslation of RUHRA into capacity building, resource mobilization and database management strategies and systems

2) Strengthening the vision, organizational, leadership and management structures of the regional research consortia Designation of executive officers among the members of governing board to handle management functions or engage the services of full-time manager or administratorDesignation of executive officers among the members of governing board to handle management functions or engage the services of full-time manager or administrator Make the work of the working committees agenda driven: organize task forces or teams around the priority health research issuesMake the work of the working committees agenda driven: organize task forces or teams around the priority health research issues Think long-term: Formulation of strategic plans and development goals and objectivesThink long-term: Formulation of strategic plans and development goals and objectives Recommendations: Overall Approach in Strengthening Regional Capacity

3) Restructuring the program of assistance provided by PCHRD and PNHRS Alignment of support with long-term development goals of HRC, multi-year agreement with clear terms of engagement and disengagementAlignment of support with long-term development goals of HRC, multi-year agreement with clear terms of engagement and disengagement Agenda driven: HRC support should lead to effective responses to the priority health problems through research. Anything else is a distraction and waste of resourcesAgenda driven: HRC support should lead to effective responses to the priority health problems through research. Anything else is a distraction and waste of resources Recommendations: Overall Approach in Strengthening Regional Capacity

Recommendations: Overall approach in strengthening regional capacity Focus on results and performance: fund releases contingent on achievement of benchmarks and development milestones and not on proofs of legitimacy of expenses incurred Focus on results and performance: fund releases contingent on achievement of benchmarks and development milestones and not on proofs of legitimacy of expenses incurred Helping HRC achieve financial stability and organizational stability: Tapping the PNHRS Committees to provide technical support to the HRC Helping HRC achieve financial stability and organizational stability: Tapping the PNHRS Committees to provide technical support to the HRC

Postscript Since the SOME initiated the conduct of regional assessments: Region 11 has taken the initiative to conduct strategic planning and is reorganizing its work to focus on the major health issues in the region. Other regions, (9, 12, 13 and ARMM) have made provisions for 2009 to review RUHRA and develop long-term plans Since the SOME initiated the conduct of regional assessments: Region 11 has taken the initiative to conduct strategic planning and is reorganizing its work to focus on the major health issues in the region. Other regions, (9, 12, 13 and ARMM) have made provisions for 2009 to review RUHRA and develop long-term plans

Postscript “ The woods are long, dark and deep, But we have promises to keep, But we have promises to keep, And miles to go before we sleep.” And miles to go before we sleep.”