‘DOH can’t donate money to WHO’

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Health (DOH) is not in a position to donate money to the World Health Organization (WHO), a network of health development experts said yesterday.

The Universal Health Care (UHC) collective said that a donation, if indeed necessary, should be initiated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In an interview, Juan Antonio Perez III of the UHC said that being the lead agency for the United Nations, the DFA has the mandate to support the UN and not the DOH specifically.

“The DFA, not DOH, should have a comprehensive plan to support the United Nations, including the WHO (World Health Organization) and the United Nations Population Fund or UNFPA which work closely with our health and population programs,” said Perez.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa had earlier committed $10 million or around P620 million to the WHO, with the disbursement carried out over four years from 2024.

While Perez ackowledged the WHO’s need for funding especially after the US withdrew its financial contribution, he said, “The DFA should make these decisions, not the DOH. It is a geopolitical decision that DFA makes.”

He said the Philippines is also in dire need of funding for public health care