Herbosa gets backing from top health orgs amid Cabinet reshuffle

Several of the country’s leading medical organizations have issued a joint statement expressing full support for Department of Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to retain him despite an ongoing Cabinet revamp.

In a statement released jointly by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Philippine Hospital Association (PHA), Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi), and the Philippine College of Hospital Administrators (PCHA), the groups lauded Herbosa’s leadership, vision, and reforms since taking the helm of the DOH.

The statement was signed by the presidents of the four organizations.

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Among his achievements cited was his election as President of the 7th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, and his leadership role in crafting the 7th WHA Pandemic Agreement. They also praised his domestic efforts, including the expansion of 24-hour “Bucas” centers and his 8-point health agenda focused on prevention, lifestyle improvement, and the needs of vulnerable communities.

The statement comes days after the Marcos administration announced a fresh wave of Cabinet changes, replacing key officials in the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Office of the Solicitor General, and the Philippine National Police.

Amid speculation about further changes, the health groups called on Marcos to keep Herbosa in his post, citing strong alignment between the DOH’s current programs and the administration’s development goals.