Research
Site Initiation for Last Study in First Grant Cycle
16 December 2024 | Author: Sophia Galasi
The final study funded for SLMC HERE Foundation's first grant cycle was initiated last December 16, 2024 at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. "Measuring and understanding geographic inequities in physician distribution in the Philippines," is led by Dr. Manuel Dayrit and Mr. Veincent Pepito of the Ateneo de Manila University's Center for Research and Innovation.
This research delves into a long-standing challenge in the Philippines health care system: the concentration of physicians in urban centers, especially in Metro Manila, and the gaps that arise from limited access to care in less urbanized areas. The study will map province- and region-level distribution of physicians and examine the systemic and personal factors that shape where they establish their practice. Combining national data analysis, surveys, interviews, and a stated preference experiment, the project aims to identify actionable pathways to improve physician recruitment and retention in underserved areas.
Posted on 10 Apr 2025
3rd Funded Study - Site Initiation Meeting with UP Manila (SIHI)
10 December 2024 | Author: Khaye Rafael
The third funded research study of SLMC HERE Foundation officially started on December 10, 2024, at UP Manila. This study with a title “Developing a Survey Tool Assessing the Equitability of Social Innovations for Health” aims to evaluate the impact of community-driven health solutions in addressing health inequities across the Philippines.
Social innovations for health (SIH) are designed to tackle pressing health challenges in local communities. However, some solutions may inadvertently mask deeper, systemic health disparities. For instance, an inter-island health service boat in Zumarraga helps pregnant women access healthcare but may overlook the fundamental need for functional health facilities in remote areas.
This research will develop a tool to assess how these social innovations impact health equity, helping identify those that should be scaled up nationwide.
Members of both the SLMC HERE Foundation and the UP Manila (SIHI) team attended the site initiation visit, with Principal Investigator Dr. Meredith Labarda participating in the meeting online via Zoom. This marked a significant step forward in this important study.
Posted on 06 Jan 2025
Kickoff of SLMC HERE Foundation’s 2nd Funded Study
02 December 2024 | Author: Khaye Rafael
On December 2, 2024, the site initiation visit for the SLMC HERE Foundation’s 2nd Funded Study, titled "Measuring Inequity in Health Financing: Evaluation of Equity-Informed Health Economic Methods Towards Attaining Health Equity in Addressing Tuberculosis, Paragonimiasis, and Heart Failure in the Zamboanga Region", was held at metaHealth’s office in Marikina. The event was attended by the metaHealth and HERE Foundation teams.
Led by Principal Investigator Dr. John Paul Caesar delos Trinos, this study will develop a tool to assess overall performance of government units in mitigating health inequities. These tools can be used by the Department of Health, local government units, and other institutions to improve health systems.
It is exciting to witness the progress of this important initiative and its potential to drive positive change in health equity across the nation and beyond.
Posted on 06 Jan 2025
Site Initiation Visit for SLMC HERE Foundation's First-Ever Funded Study
11 November 2024 | Author: Jessa Pangantihon
On November 11, 2024, the St. Luke’s Medical Center Health Equity and Research (HERE) Foundation officially initiated its first funded research study, “Bridging the Gap: Defining and Measuring Health Inequity in the Context of UHC Law.” This project, led by Dr. John Q. Wong of Epimetrics Inc., is one of four proposals selected during the Foundation’s first Call for Proposals.
This study aims to develop a tool to assess the overall performance of government units in mitigating health inequities. These tools can be used by the Department of Health (DOH), local government units, and other institutions to improve health systems
Key representatives, including HERE Foundation’s Vice President, Dr. Antonio L. Dans, and members of the Foundation’s Technical Working Group conducted the site initiation visit.
Posted on 21 Nov 2024
HERE Call for Proposals Updates
In response to the Call for Proposals announced during the Inauguration last November 16, 2023, 38 capsule proposals were received by the deadline in January 2024. Out of these 38, 19 passed the initial screening, 15 of which went on to full proposals submission. Of the 15, nine were elevated to the Governing Council, and five were conditionally approved for funding. The conditionally approved proposals are undergoing final revisions with the Memorandum of Agreement for each project being prepared.
SLMC HERE Foundation Partners with University of the Philippines - Department of Clinical Epidemiology to Develop Health Equity Research and Advocacy Courses
20 November 2024 | Author: Jessa Pangantihon
In a continued effort to build the capacity of researchers and promote health equity in the Philippines, the St. Luke’s Medical Center Health Equity and Research (HERE) Foundation, in partnership with the University of the Philippines - Department of Clinical Epidemiology (UP-DCE), is developing two elective courses focused on health equity research and advocacy.
The Health Equity Research course is intended to equip researchers with the knowledge and skills to design and implement research projects designed to measure, understand, or mitigate inequities in health and healthcare.
The Advocacy course, on the other hand, is designed to equip researchers to effectively translate research findings into policy and practice.
Initially offered as short courses, these programs will eventually be integrated into the curriculum of the Master of Science and Diploma Certification in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of the Philippines, expanding opportunities for future generations of researchers to explore health equity research and policy.
Posted on 21 Nov 2024
SLMC HERE Foundation Hosts Thought Leaders Meeting
to Shape Agenda for its Second Call for Proposals
26 September 2024 | Author: Jessa Pangantihon
In preparation for its upcoming Call for Proposals, the St. Luke’s Medical Center Health Equity and Research (HERE) Foundation brought together a diverse group of experts and thought leaders to discuss and shape an agenda for health equity research. This meeting was designed to foster a collaborative and constructive dialogue on the critical challenges facing the health and healthcare system in the Philippines, with the goal of identifying research topics that can effectively address these issues.
The dialogue centered on the question, "What information would policymakers need to better address inequities in health and healthcare?"
Experts and leaders from government and private sectors participated in this meeting, including Dr. Tessa Tan-Torres Edejer, former Coordinator of the Unit on Costs, Effectiveness, Expenditure and Priority Setting in the Department of Health Financing and Governance at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva; Dr. Shirley Domingo, former PhilHealth's VP for Corporate Affairs and spokesperson; Dr. Paul Gideon Lasco, medical anthropologist, columnist, and a former DTTB; and Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, Executive Director of Unilab, Inc.
Followed by a Governing Council meeting in December 10, 2024, the outcomes of these two consultative sessions will determine the priority research topics for the second Call for Proposals.
Posted on 21 Nov 2024
SLMC HERE Foundation Conducts its 2024 Operational Planning
19 July 2024 | Author: Khaye Rafael
On June 17 to 19, 2024, the St. Luke’s Medical Center Health Equity and Research (HERE) Foundation successfully held its first operational planning seminar at Sonya’s Secret Garden in Alfonso Cavite. Facilitated by Dr. Gelo Apostol and Dr. Jeremie De Guzman, the seminar focused on shaping the Foundation's plans and activities for 2024 and beyond.
The seminar included a series of workshops designed to refine the Foundation's mission and goals, while aligning strategies across its key operational areas. Participants, including members of the Technical Working Group and Governing Council, reviewed the Foundation’s logical framework, refined objectives, and developed action plans that will guide the Foundation’s work in the coming years. The first part of the workshop reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to funding health equity research and promoting universal healthcare. The second workshop conducted a situational analysis to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement. The final workshop outlined actionable steps for leadership development, research funding, capacity-building, and advocacy to address health inequities.
The outcomes of the seminar will guide the Foundation’s priorities and actions moving forward, with a focus on strengthening internal processes, expanding partnerships, and ensuring the success of future initiatives.
Posted on 25 Nov 2024
SLMC HERE Foundation Governing Council Evaluates
Submissions from 1st Call for Proposals
11 April 2024 
St. Luke's Medical Center Launches the HERE Foundation:
Pioneering Research for Health Equity in the Philippines
16 November 2023 | Author: Khaye Rafael
The SLMC Health Equity and Research (HERE) Foundation was officially launched on November 16, 2023, at Shangri-La The Fort, Taguig City. The event brought together over 200 attendees, including board members, VIPs, researchers, and media representatives.
The ceremony included a special introduction to the Foundation, led by Dr. Antonio Dans, the Vice President of the SLMC HERE Foundation, who highlighted the importance of addressing healthcare disparities in the Philippines. He emphasized the Foundation’s pivotal role in advancing health equity through research and policy advocacy.
The inaugural members of the Governing Council were also introduced, including renowned experts such as Dr. Benjamin Co, Prof. Cynthia Cordero, Dr. Mary Ann Lansang, Dr. Michael Tan, Dr. Valerie Ulep, and Dr. Madeleine Valera. These experts will guide the Foundation’s mission to ensure equitable healthcare access for all.
During the inauguration, the Foundation’s logo was unveiled, symbolizing its commitment to tackling health inequities and building a more inclusive healthcare system.
Dr. Arturo De La Peña, President and CEO of the HERE Foundation, spoke about the need for a more inclusive healthcare system, while Dr. Dennis Serrano, President and CEO of St. Luke’s Medical Center, reaffirmed the commitment to providing equal care to all patients.
A key moment of the inauguration was the announcement of the first Call for Proposals, offering up to Php10 million for each approved project, with a total of PHP 50 million allocated for the first round of funding. This initiative will support groundbreaking research aimed at reducing health disparities and improving healthcare delivery for marginalized populations.
Posted on 25 Nov 2024