DOH, DOST to fund dengue-related studies

He said DOH-DOST linkage will also look into prioritizing the development of Dengue NS1 test (Pixabay photo)

MANILA–The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said it is partnering with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to strengthen research development in finding solutions to the dengue problem in the country.

“We’re very, very happy that (DOH) Secretary (Francisco) Duque and DOST Secretary (Fortunato) Dela Peña, of course with PCHRD (Philippine Council for Health Research and Development), have made an agreement that we will be concentrating a lot of our work and our funding on dengue-related research for the coming year and mid-year of 2019,” said DOH Undersecretary Enrique Domingo during the PCHRD 36th anniversary at Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“It will take a few years to feel it but we’re very very positive that we will be moving forward with this problem (dengue),” Domingo added.

He said DOH-DOST linkage will also look into prioritizing the development of Dengue NS1 test that will determine if patients who have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia already contracted dengue or not before they were innoculated with the vaccine.

He said the two agencies will be discussing how the technology of NS1 developed in University of Pittsburg and University of Hawaii can be adopted in the country.

This will make the production of the testing kits could be done in the country, Domingo added.