Pujalte: People’s Health Is Our Highest Priority

Newly appointed Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr. has vowed to push for the continuous delivery of quality health care services in the country.

“Beginning today, my full focus will be on ensuring the continuous delivery of quality health care services and strengthening our public health system as well as supporting our health care workers,” said Pujalte, who took his oath before President Marcos at Malacañang on Tuesday, July 14, accompanied by the members of his family.

Pujalte replaced Teodoro Herbosa, who cited health reasons as he stepped down from his post on Monday, July 13.

The new DOH chief said the health agenda under his leadership is focused on making Filipinos healthier.

“The health of our people is our highest priority,” Pujalte said, expressing his excitement to begin working with DOH employees and the different groups in the health care sector.

He thanked the President for the trust given to him to lead the department.

“I am deeply honored by the trust and confidence bestowed upon me by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. I accept this responsibility with humility and a strong commitment to serve every Filipino,” Pujalte added.

Meanwhile, a group of private hospitals urged Pujalte to prioritize the release of all delayed health emergency allowances (HEA) and ensure that future benefits are released on time.

“We are also asking him to fund the HEA Grievance Board and solve all issues pertaining to claims of health workers,” the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines (UPHUP) said in a statement.

The group also expressed hope that under Pujalte’s leadership, there will be improvement in the health workers’ wages, staffing levels and working conditions, particularly those in private hospitals who remain among the most underpaid professionals despite providing essential services.

“Despite repeated commitments of former secretary Ted Herbosa, thousands of health workers continue to wait for the release of their HEA years after risking their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many also continue to face low wages, understaffing, excessive workloads, contractual employment and deteriorating working conditions,” UPHUP said.

Meanwhile, the Universal Health Care (UHC) also urged Pujalte to complete the UHC Act implementation and focus on sustainability and effectiveness of local health systems.

“The new DOH chief should also help PhilHealth recover from an impending financial crisis and champion a Philippine health system based on primary health care and affordable hospital-based care working in tandem,” Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III said.