Dr. Jose "Brix" Pujalte Jr. has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), following the resignation of Ted Herbosa due to health reasons, Malacañang announced.

Herbosa had been on sick leave after undergoing knee replacement surgery earlier this month and is expected to undergo several months of rehabilitation.

A veteran orthopedic surgeon and career public health official, Pujalte has spent more than three decades in government service, building extensive experience in hospital management and healthcare administration.

He earned his medical degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine in 1990 before completing his orthopedic residency training at the Philippine Orthopedic Center in 1994.

He later obtained a master's degree in Hospital Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.

Over the years, Pujalte has held several key leadership positions in the medical field. Since 2014, he has served as Medical Center Chief II of the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Quezon City.

He also previously served as the hospital's Chief of Clinics and led both the Philippine Orthopaedic Association and the ASEAN Orthopaedic Association as president.