The leadership of the Department of Health (DOH) has been formally turned over to newly appointed Secretary Dr. Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa by Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in conjunction with the office's 125th-anniversary celebration on Monday, June 19.
Usec. Vergeire has turned over the DOH flag to Sec. Herbosa as a symbol of transfer of the agency's leadership. The ceremony coincides with the first day of the week-long celebration of DOH's 125th anniversary with the theme "One25. ONE DOH: Sama-sama Tungo sa Pagbabago at Kalusugan ng Lahat." (Photo courtesy of DOH)
"We recognize that a lot of work remains as we move towards universal health care, but I am more honored to turn over to you the leadership of the Department of Health that has been tested and strengthened by our learnings from the pandemic," said Vergeire.
"An agency with clarified vision and mission, an institution composed of public servants ready to serve the people irrespective of our position. We formally now officially endorse the leadership to Secretary Teddy Herbosa," she added.
Sec. Herbosa during the torch lighting ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Luisa Cabato)
In his acceptance speech, the DOH chief introduced the agency's "Eight Point Action Approach" to fully carry out the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
These include:
1. Accessible healthcare for every Filipino
2. Safe, quality, and humanistic service
3. Technology for rapid services
4. Crisis preparedness
5. Disease prevention
6. A holistic approach toward better mental health
7. Welfare and rights of healthcare workers
8. Protection against any kind of pandemic.
Herbosa emphasized that he cannot accomplish these initiatives alone and encouraged the healthcare workers to accelerate the service.
"Health is political; good politics means good governance and good governance translates to good health," he said.
The DOH Secretary also expressed his aversion to bureaucracy and promised fast, action-oriented, and responsive work from the department.