The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, July 4, announced that it will no longer pursue the proposal to rename the agency to the "Department of Health and Wellness."
In an interview with DZBB, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said that DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa asked him to conduct a cost analysis for renaming the agency.
"Sabi nga ng Secretary (Herbosa), hindi niya sukat akalain, mapi-pick up 'yun,na talagang mag-kakaroon siya ng traction (The Secretary said he didn't expect it to gain traction so quickly)," Domingo said in an interview with DZBB.
Domingo cited Herbosa's concern that if the renaming process is costly, the agency will not proceed with it.
"He (Herbosa) said, you know, if it's just costly, let's stop it," he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
He then emphasized that "the interest of the DOH is not in branding or looking good; what's important is the service."
"Because the definition of health is not merely the absence of disease but also a complete state of physical and mental well-being," Domingo said.
Herbosa had expressed on July 1 that he was considering changing the name of the DOH to highlight awareness of health promotion.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/2/proposal-to-rename-doh-still-under-further-study