The Department of Health (DoH) announced yesterday the appointment of Dr. Edwin M. Mercado as the new Secretary of Health.

“Together, we look forward to embarking on a new chapter for Philippine healthcare and building a healthier nation for all,” DOH announced in a social media post.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Dr. Mercado as the new secretary to succeed Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr., who stepped down for health reasons.

A physician, Mercado took office as acting president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) last 4 February 2025. According to the Palace, Mercado brings to DoH decades of experience in healthcare management, health financing and universal health care.

Before joining PhilHealth, Mercado held various leadership posts in the healthcare sector, including as medical director of Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center from 1998 to 2000, then as president and CEO of several hospitals from 2000 to 2016.

He also served as Asian Development Bank and Zuellig Family Foundation consultant, and was part of DoH’s Strategic Advisory Group for Universal Health Care Implementation.

Mercado earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines Manila. He completed a Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery at Harvard Medical School and a master’s degree in Hospital Administration from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.