Tony Leachon resigns as DOH adviser

Health expert Dr. Tony Leachon has resigned as special adviser of the Department of Health (DOH) after only a month in post.

"I am writing to formally resign from my position as Special Adviser for Noncommunicable Diseases of the DOH, effective immediately," he said in his letter to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

"I have made this decision after careful consideration, and it is based on personal reasons that I believe are best for me, my family and my future," he added.

In a separate statement, Leachon said a recent hearing at the House of Representatives was an “eye-opener” after he was branded as “not as a public health expert” by a lawmaker.

"It’s not good to be defending one’s qualifications  in the public eye. At this stage, I do not have to prove anything anymore," said Leachon, who calls himself an independent health reform advocate.

“Even my noble aspirations and all of my actions to serve the country will be placed under the microscope, and the vicious attacks against me will never stop. I want to spare my family from this matter. Enough,” he added.

Leachon did not mention names but Representative Janette Garin, during the hearing for the 2024 proposed DOH budget, said "Do you think it's fair for the DOH to give ?100,000 to a person whose statements were always skewed and malicious?" 

"I'm saying this because as a secretary of health, you have allies and colleagues with you whose tasks and functions will be affected," she added addressing Herbosa.

In August, Herbosa announced Leachon's appointment as adviser, citing the former’s "exemplary knowledge and experience in the medical field."

Herbosa on Friday said Leachon is back to being a "volunteer" consultant for the DOH.

In 2020, he served as a special consultant of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) during the Duterte administration. He, however, was removed from post following his criticisms against the government response on COVID-19 problem.

He also said his removal may have something to do with the Dengvaxia vaccine controversy.

In 2016, Leachon along with several other physicians raised concerns over the safety of the government's free dengue vaccine after recent studies questioned its efficacy.

Garin, former DOH Secretary, who was one of the implementors of the program, slammed the doctors for creating "misinformation" to discredit the program. 

The case is pending before the courts.—LDF, GMA Integrated News