New Philippine health secretary will ensure healthcare policy continuity, say analysts

Responses from the Philippine medical community have been positive.

The appointment of Philippines’ new health secretary Jean Paulyn Rusell-Ubial will ensure broad policy continuity in the medical sector, having served 13 health secretaries prior to the appointment.

According to a report by BMI Research, responses from the Philippine medical community have been positive, with Emer Rojas, global cancer ambassador for the American Cancer Society, expressing confidence that Ubial will bring public health to a new level.

“Similarly, Anthony Leachon, president of the Philippine College of Physicians Foundation, expressed his willingness to support her and hopes to see advances in the primary care system,” BMI Research noted.

“We highlight that Ubial has also worked with the pharmaceutical industry, having participated in the launch of a partnership between Merck Serono and the Department of Health in September 2015 that focuses on activities to advance the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders,” the report added.