INTRODUCTION TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL ISSUE CLOSING THE SDG AND UHC GAPS: THE PHILIPPINE PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Vicente Y Belizario Jr

Abstract

In commemoration of its 54th year in its designation as a Center for Public Health by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), we have put together ten articles which we felt embody the spirit of what the University of the Philippines Manila, College of Public Health (UP CPH) as one of the Regional Centers of the Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network (TROPMED), stands for. Our theme for this specail issue is Closing the SDG and UHC Gaps: The Philippine Public Health Research Experience which highlights the role of the Regional Center in producing knowledge that addresses the priorities of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthens the Universal Health Care (UHC) implementation. We covered current public health challenges on infectious diseases including neglected tropical diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), maternal health financing, participatory health care, and quality of health data.