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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Garin reveals doctors declined offer for DOH secretary

Garin reveals doctors declined offer for DOH secretary

Published Oct 25, 2022 03:08 pm

Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin on Tuesday, Oct. 25, revealed that the position of Health secretary had already been offered to many “qualified individuals” but these doctors declined since they don’t want to give up their private practice and they fear the repercussions of holding a public office.

Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin (John Jerome Ganzon/File Photo/ MANILA BULLETIN)

“As far as I know, the position of secretary of health has been offered to many qualified individuals already but they don't want to give up their practice,” she said on ANC’s “Headstart.”

Her remarks came amid the failure of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to appoint a Health secretary four months into his term and while the country is recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Garin, a former Health secretary herself, explained that doctors are also wary about accepting the appointment because of the cases that could be filed against them.

READ: Marcos to name DOH chief once country’s Covid-19 situation ‘normalizes’

She revealed that many doctors could face legal problems about the procurement process in the DOH, and also sampled how many of them got into legal troubles because of the Covid-19 vaccination.

“Marami ang takot kasi baka mamaya ubusin kami ng kaso diyan. Kawawa naman 'yung aming pamilya (Many are afraid because we might be consumed with cases there. Our families will be pitiful),” the lawmaker said.

“There are a lot of circumstances that has actually paved (the) way for many doctors to fear government service,” Garin, who had to face complaints and indictment because of the Dengvaxia case, added.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire is currently the officer-in-charge of the Department of Health (DOH), while the President also drew flak recently for appointing former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Camilo Cascolan as DOH undersecretary.

Garin, however, said Cascolan’s appointment is an “executive prerogative” given to the President.

READ: Let’s give Cascolan a chance–Garin

She came to his and the former PNP chief’s defense, saying that the Health department also needs managers and not just doctors and scientists.

Many countries also have military men in positions that have to do with managing public health, Garin pointed out.

She advised Cascolan to seek the guidance of specialty medical societies, especially experts inside the Health agency itself.

“We have a lot of technical directors and technical scientists and experts inside the Department of Health na 'yung mga boses nila hindi makalabas. Andaming magagaling sa loob na hindi makalabas (that their voices are not being heard. A lot from inside are really good, but they couldn’t get their opinions out),” Garin added.

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