Reiterating that the role is pivotal, especially amid the ongoing pandemic, health reform advocate and former special adviser of the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should now appoint a responsible health chief.
“Dapat ay makapili na ng bagong Department of Health (DOH) secretary (A new DOH secretary should already be elected),” said Leachon in an interview over DZRH on Saturday, adding that the next DOH chief will be in charged of laying down the operational details for the country to achieve at least 70 percent Covid-19 booster rate within the first 100 days of Marcos’ administration.
The first 100 days of the new administration will determine if the Philippines will be able to gradually reopen the economy and slowly lift the health protocols against Covid-19, said the expert.
Meanwhile, when asked to enumerate the qualifications that the next DOH chief should have, Leachon said that the next leader must have administrative and managerial skills, as well as a sense of urgency, vision, and effective leadership.
To date, Marcos has yet to announce an officer-in-charge to succeed outgoing Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III.