Herbosa’s DOH mission: Tackling COVID-19 exit plan, confronting TB and HIV

OATHTAKING President Marcos Jr. administers the oath of newly appointed Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday. On Thursday, he spelled out his priorities, such as the COVID-19 exit  plan.—POOL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Thursday said he would focus on a comprehensive COVID-19 exit plan and addressing tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases nationwide.

Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s instructions, Herbosa took office on June 5th.

Philippine College of Physicians President Rontgene Solante supports Herbosa’s efforts to develop effective strategies for managing these health issues.

“Sinabi niya [Marcos] una yung COVID gusto niya ng exit plan para makalabas na tayo dito at magtuloy tuloy yung kinakailangan na bagong bakuna yung tinatawag natin na bivalent vaccines,” Herbosa said in a public briefing.

(He said that we need an exit plan out of COVID and to continue the distribution of bivalent vaccines.)

“Pangalawa number 9 po yata tayo sa dami ng may number ng tuberculosis sa ating bansa compared sa ibang bansa so gusto ata niya mawala tayo sa top 10. Pangatlo, maraming kabataan ang nagkakaroon ng HIV, sinabihan tayo ng World Health Organization na isa tayo sa countries with a high rate of transmission dumadami tutukan ko rin po ito upon his instructions,” he added.

(Second, we’re in the top 9 for TB cases and aim to leave the top 10. Third, many youths have HIV with high transmission rates per WHO, so I’ll focus on this as instructed.)

Herbosa mentioned the government’s intention to digitalize the health department’s financing and procurement via telemedicine and digital health.

The DOH aims to enhance health center services and make tests for diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease accessible.

In his oath on June 6, Herbosa pledged to promote universal healthcare by improving strategies and enacting reforms. Previously, he served as a COVID-19 Task Force adviser and UP vice president.

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