Duque to prioritize rebuilding of damaged health facilities in Marawi

Marawi officials appeal for help as they prepare to rehabilitate the city following a five-month fighting between government soldiers and terrorists. —RICHEL V. UMEL

Incoming Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday said the Department of Health (DOH) will be prioritizing the rebuilding of war-torn Marawi City, following the cessation of military operations there.

“Our priority program now is to help build Marawi City. That is what needs to be focused on, especially the damaged health delivery infrastructure,” Duque said.

The returning DOH chief said the agency will also study the sustainability of the national health insurer, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth.

Asked about additional benefit packages, Duque said “this must be balanced with the actual solvency” of PhilHealth.

“It’s easy to add benefits, but it won’t be right if the life of PhilHealth will be shortened. We want more funds for PhilHealth without raising the contribution rates if possible,” he said.

Drug rehabilitation

Another priority of the agency is the lowering of the maternal mortality rate through the improvement of the existing emergency and basic maternal and newborn care programs.

Duque also promised to continue the government’s drug rehabilitation program.

“Drug treatment rehabilitation services must be improved to help drug addicts return to their former lives and society,” he said.

Duque is the younger brother of Social Security System Commissioner Gonzalo Duque, who was appointed earlier by President Duterte.

Ubial congratulates Duque

Former Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial welcomed the reappointment of Duque to the DOH as she took to social media to congratulate her former boss for being named as part of President Duterte’s Cabinet.

“I congratulate my boss, Secretary Francisco Duque III for getting reappointed. Mabuhay! I will support him as he had supported me,” she said on her Twitter account, @Dok_Pau.

Ubial made the remarks after Mr. Duterte on Thursday appointed Duque to replace her at the DOH.

The DOH is expected to conduct a turnover ceremony to welcome its returning health secretary on Monday.

Duque served as DOH secretary from 2005 to 2009 under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

He then headed the Civil Service Commission from 2010 to 2015 under then President Benigno Aquino III.

Duque will be replacing Ubial, whose nomination was rejected by the Commission on Appointments.