DOH’s ‘Action Agenda’
DESPITE the end of the two-year coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the costs of medicines and medical services continue to spiral in impoverished Philippines.
Doubtless, this must be distressing and saddening for the suffering people, particularly the jobless, the underemployed and other unfortunate members of society.
But the new man at the helm of the Department of Health (DOH) has a multi-pronged eight-point “Action Agenda” designed to meet the medical needs of the people.
The man, Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, took over from Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, who served as DOH officer-in-charge (OIC) for more than one year.
Herbosa is a trauma surgeon involved in the development of trauma system and emergency training in the country and Malaysia, both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Aside from universal health care, Secretary Herbosa’s top priorities include providing safe, quality and caring service using technology for more efficient health services.
The new health secretary wants the DOH to take what he described as “humanistic approach” as he seeks to fully implement the landmark Universal Health Act of 2019.
Formerly with the University of the Philippines, Herbosa said that providing universal health care meant that medical services would become affordable, though not entirely free.
We believe that the DOH under Dr. Herbosa is capable of addressing the health’s sector’s many concerns on the road to meeting the medical needs of the Philippine population.
Let’s then support Dr. Herbosa as he implements his eight-point “Action Agenda.”agenda.
