Search for health chief still on

MANILA, Philippines — The search for a new Department of Health (DOH) secretary is still on, as the one reportedly being eyed for the post by President Marcos has claimed not getting such offer, contrary to reports.

“You know I am deeply flattered with that statement, but to give you the truthful answer. I have not spoken to anybody in Malacañang or the President,” Malasakit @Bayanihan party-list Rep. Anthony Rolando Golez Jr. said in an interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News Wednesday night.

He stressed he has not even received any feelers. He said he remains focused on “giving health care leadership” to the country.

Golez was executive assistant to former health chief Manuel Dayrit in 2002 during the Arroyo administration. The doctor lawmaker recently filed a measure mandating one-year medical service for new Filipino doctors. His proposed measure, he said, aims to address the shortage of health care workers in the country.

Golez explained that the measure would not lead to involuntary servitude – as feared by critics – because doctors will occupy government positions with corresponding salaries and benefits.

Young doctors who choose to serve in remote areas, he said, would be given the option to put up their own clinic through a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

“You treat 100 patients in a month, siguro nabayaran mo na yung utang mo eh (maybe, enough to pay your debts). That’s 50,000 already sa konsulta package pa lang (just for consultation),” he said.

Golez said the setting up of private clinics in remote areas will not only benefit the doctors, but other primary health care providers such as nurses and laboratory technicians as well.

The Philippine Medical Association said it sees no problem with one-year mandatory medical service as well as with the proposal to shorten medical courses.

In the same interview with The Chiefs, PMA president Dr. Maria Minerva Calimag noted that many universities are already considering as credits the additional two years of pre-college study from the K-12 program.

“So if it is mandated by law, I think there should be no problem with that,” Calimag said.