The Occupational Safety and Health Center Regional Extension Unit IX (OSHC-REU9) forms part of the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) 2017-2022 Regional Consultation held in Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City on May 15-16, 2017.

Represented by OSHC REU 9 Focal Ms. Ma Joy Reneeli Espinosa RN, the 2-day activity is part of a larger effort in developing the NUHRA 2017-2022, which specifies the area for health research that needs to be studied. Alongside the NUHRA, the Regional Unified Health Research Agenda (RUHRAs) is designed to reflect region-specific health needs and priorities.

After series of workshops, discussions and meticulous deliberations, the RUHRA 2017-2022 for Zamboanga Peninsula has been agreed upon and finalized by more than twenty (20) delegates representing the Academe, Health Institutions and Line Agencies (Health-Related Government Agencies) across Zamboanga Peninsula.

Occupational Health is now considered a Regional Priority and is among the Top Ten Research Agendas of the Region for 2017-2022. Being a priority agenda would ensure that funding for the research will be allocated.

Research on the aspect of Occupational Health will provide vital information on the working conditions among sectors in the regions and would help improve the delivery of service towards prevention of work-related illnesses and/or occupational diseases.

(END/Ma. Joy Reneeli C. Espinosa)