DOH: Herbosa vows continued push for universal health care

Newly-appointed Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has vowed to continuously usher Universal Health Care (UHC) through interventions and reforms, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday.

During the oath taking of Herbosa in Malacañang this morning, DOH said the new Health chief pledged to “continuously usher UHC by sustaining gains, strengthening health sector strategy interventions, introducing healthcare reforms.”

“The DOH family welcomes this development, as this is crucial in the Department's operations. With this transition, the DOH ensures that the healthcare services will remain unhampered,” the agency said.

Herbosa, who served as a former DOH undersecretary during the Aquino administration, was appointed Secretary by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday.

“I am honored to serve this leadership and the Filipino people and their healthcare needs!” he said in a tweet.

GMA News Online sought for Herbosa’s comment regarding his appointment and his plans for the DOH, but he has yet to respond as of posting.

Meanwhile, Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) president Rontgene Solante on Monday bared hopes that Herbosa would prioritize upgrading the country’s healthcare facilities, especially that the COVID-19 pandemic is still prevalent.

“In continuing pandemic-preparedness plan, dapat kasama doon ‘yung upgrading ng mga healthcare facilities [upgrading healthcare facilities should be included],” he said in a public briefing.

“Importante rin when we will be implementing the Universal Health Care, it will be hospitals from the Level 1, Level 2, up to Level 3 na dapat updated ang mga supply, and at the same time, meron tayong mga services na dapat i-prioritize dito sa mga hospitals na ito to provide treatment sa mga nangangailangan na mga population,” he added.

(It is also important when we implement Universal Health Care that hospitals from Level 1, Level 2, up to Level 3 will have updated supplies, and at the same time, we have services that must be prioritized to provide treatment to those in need.)—LDF, GMA Integrated News