City Health Dep't gets new chief next month

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Health Department will have a new head of office in the person of Dr. Stella Ygoña starting next month after Mayor Michael Rama decided to replace acting city health officer Fe Cabugao.

Rama said Ygoña, chief of the City Health Department’s field training section, will assume her new position on August 1, with specific instructions to improve the health services.

Ygoña is no stranger to the position because she previously held the post from 2000 to 2004 although in an acting capacity.

She was then designated to fill up the post vacated by former city health officer Felicitas Manaloto when the latter reached the mandatory retirement age.

But after serving as city health officer for four years, former mayor Tomas Osmeña replaced Ygoña with assistant city health officer Fe Cabugao.

Rama said with the resumption of Ygoña as city health officer, Cabugao will return to her original plantilla position as assistant city health officer.

Ygoña said her first priority is to improve the birthing stations in the various barangay health centers as one way to help decongest the Cebu City Medical Center of patients. She will also make sure that the campaign against the dreaded dengue virus will be properly implemented in the barangays in coordination with the barangay officials.

Ygoña thanked Rama for his trust in her ability to lead the City Health Department. — THE FREEMAN