‘Ubial set standard for health chief’

MANILA, Philippines — Health advocacy groups Health Justice Philippines (HJP) and New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) yesterday urged President Duterte to choose a Department of Health (DOH) chief that will follow the framework and policies set by former secretary Paulyn Ubial.

In a joint statement, HJP and NVAP said Duterte must “ensure that next health appointee is able to fulfill the promises of the Philippine Health Agenda and accelerate the progress made in the implementation of the Smoke Free Executive Order and programs on mental health, nutrition, HIV/AIDs and health promotion or preventive approaches in health.”

They noted the President should make sure that the programs implemented by Ubial are “on track.”

“Secretary Ubial held a very strong position against the tobacco industry and never compromised. She was faithful to the Civil Service rule that public servants should not meet with the tobacco industry unless necessary for regulation. That’s a true test of integrity,” claimed NVAP president Emer Rojas.

According to HJP president May Fernandez Mendoza, “it is typical for secretaries of health, who are doctors, to focus on treatment or on medicine.”

Mendoza added that “public health is not just about treatment and medical assistance.”