DOH ready for new chief

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has no preference for any new head and is ready for a change in leadership.

“The Department is prepared for the change in administration. We shall welcome the next Secretary of Health – whoever they may be,” the DOH said in a statement. “DOH officials are eager to work closely with its next secretary.”

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to select the next health chief to succeed Secretary Francisco Duque.

But different groups are endorsing DOH-Technical Advisory Group member Edsel Salvaña and National Task Force against COVID-19 adviser Ted Herbosa to head the health department.

The DOH, however, hopes the incoming chief will be a good leader and continue to implement the Universal Health Care (UHC) program.

According to the DOH, the UHC will help the country “prepare better for any future public health emergencies.”

The pandemic, DOH said, highlighted the need for sound leadership and good governance of provincial governors and city mayors, who have been responsible for the successful rollout of vaccines.

Duque previously reported that the UHC and COVID-19 pandemic response are part of the legacy of President Duterte.

The DOH, he said, continued the UHC implementation despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic response even expedited several UHC-related initiatives, which strengthened the integration of our local health systems at province and city-wide level,” Duque said.

As part of the pandemic response, the DOH implemented its Four-Door Strategy which includes the Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, Reintegration and Vaccination approach to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.