Press Release
October 24, 2009

To discover cures and solutions
ANGARA EYES CREATION OF NAT'L HEALTH RESEARCH SYSTEM

With the advent of leptospirosis cases that continue to rise claiming at least 138 lives to date, Senator Edgardo J. Angara today called on legislators and country's health experts to establish a national research system that will help discover cures and solutions to emerging viruses such as leptospirosis.

Department of Health (DoH) reported, 1,887 people stricken with the flood-borne disease are confined in 15 major hospitals in Metro Manila as of Oct. 20.

The number of leptospirosis case increased from 177 to 1,887 in a span of only a week, between Oct. 12 and Oct. 20.

"The establishment of a national health research system will serve as a potent key in fighting this epidemic and preventing other related diseases or viruses," said Angara who chairs the Senate Committee on Science and Technology

Leptospirosis is a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection contracted when contaminated water is swallowed or enters the body through cuts in the skin. The infection is commonly transmitted in floodwaters tainted by the urine of rats and other animals.

Doctors advised that it should be treated within two days of the onset of the illness to prevent complications to the kidney, liver and to the brain which could be fatal.

He added that "a national research system will keep our citizens healthy and ready for any virus outbreak. Ensuring that health research is linked to the needs of the health system assures that the quality of health care will be provided to our countrymen,"

Philippine National Health Research System will build capabilities for health research and development activities and encourage individuals to pursue research as a career; ensure public access to the information and other outputs generated by the health research system and encourage the utilization of research results in the form of products, technologies, programs and services," added Angara.

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