The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed sadness over the passing of one of its officials.

The DOH said Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Dr. Merlissa Sena passed away on 18 September at the age of 53.

“Dr. Sena was a dedicated public servant whose career was marked by commitment to strengthening the country’s health system and improving health services for the Filipino people,” said DOH.

“We remember with gratitude her invaluable contributions to the health sector and her unwavering commitment to public service. Her dedication and legacy will remain an enduring part of the DOH,” it added.

The department did not disclose the cause of her death.

Sena, who headed the DOH Health Cluster B, was also the director of the DOH’s Health Facility Development Bureau (HFDB).

The HFDB said Sena had been part of the bureau for almost a decade before becoming its head.

She also previously served as regional director of the DOH Center for Health Development (CHD) for the CALABARZON and Bicol regions.