Health officials seem to be in the know about the potential removal of Dr. Vergeire from the Department of Health (DOH)
In a series of unexpected moves, three undersecretaries at the Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines have left their posts, with little transparency or public explanation.
The departures of Undersecretaries Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, Kenneth Ronquillo, and Achilles Gerard Bravo have sparked concern among medical organizations and health professionals. Ronquillo and Bravo, who had reached mandatory retirement, served extended stays until June, while Vergeire's removal was seen as abrupt and without due process.
Vergeire, a medical doctor and experienced public health expert who had served the DOH since 2007, was replaced by Randy Escolango, a lawyer and non-physician. This appointment has raised criticism regarding the sidelining of health professionals in favour of political or non-technical considerations.
The Alliance of Health Workers and other groups have questioned the basis for Vergeire's removal, emphasizing that as a career executive service officer, she should not have been removed without just cause and due process. A statement from 57 organizations of health practitioners indicated that Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire was removed from the DOH.
The departures have led to public outcry among medical organizations, demanding accountability and transparency in DOH leadership changes. The Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecology Society, Philippine Academic Society of Social and Community Medicine, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, and Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines are among the organizations that have credited Vergeire for her unwavering science-based leadership and principled public service.
The statement expressed concern over Vergeire's removal and the appointment of officials with limited public health background. After Vergeire was skipped for permanent appointment as DOH secretary in June 2023, she was moved around various positions within two years, according to the Inquirer. She alternately headed the clusters for health regulation and facility development, special concerns, and universal health care policy and strategy.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin cited that Vergeire's tenure had expired as the reason for her exit. However, the lack of information from the DOH has led to speculations about the reasons behind these departures. The DOH has refused to discuss the reasons for the departures of these officials.
Since leaving the DOH, Vergeire has been invited to speak on public health issues by various groups. Despite the controversy, Vergeire has stated that she will just rest for a while. The report of these departures was made by ABS-CBN on July 29.
The unexpected departures of health officials, including Vergeire, have raised questions about political influence in academic roles, with critics concerned that non-technical considerations may be sidelining health professionals. The removal of Vergeire, a noted advocate for science-based decision making in health and wellness, has garnered criticism from multiple medical organizations, including the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecology Society.
The absence of transparency regarding the reasons behind these departures has fueled speculation in general news and medical-conditions discourse, with many questioning the role of politics in the leadership changes at the Department of Health.
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