ASOG Holds brown bag session on Dr Dino Aldaba and Nicole Uy's analysis on primary healthcare research in the Philippines

On 30 October 2024, the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG), through the Ateneo Policy Center, hosted a hybrid brown bag session on the study of Dr Bernardino Aldaba, part-time faculty member of ASOG, and Ms Nicole Uy, research assistant of ASOG, entitled “Mapping Primary Healthcare Research in the Western Pacific: Analyzing Primary Healthcare Research in the Philippines.”

The session began with opening remarks from Dr Mario C Villaverde, core faculty member of ASOG, where he emphasized the past and continuing work in realizing primary healthcare (PHC) in the context of universal healthcare. Additionally, he highlighted the opportunity for this research to expand connections with other key stakeholders such as the World Health Organization in strengthening health systems starting with primary healthcare research.

Dr Aldaba and Ms Uy presented the findings of their study, with key highlights including increased yet limited volume of PHC research, a need for more robust research methods, a need for more increased focus on health financing and information systems in PHC research, and better understanding on the policy uptake of existing PHC research.

The session ended with closing remarks provided by Dean Philip Arnold P Tuaño, who encouraged continued collaboration to strengthen the healthcare system and promote health equity.