HEALTH SERVICES. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa (standing, with blue cap) talks with patients and health workers during the Lab for All medical services in Tacloban City on July 4, 2024. Herbosa admitted that changing the name of their agency into the Department of Health and Wellness will be costly, but said it is necessary to emphasize both illness and well-being. (Photo courtesy of Tacloban city information office)
TACLOBAN CITY – Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa said Thursday changing the name of their agency will be costly, but it is necessary to emphasize both illness and wellness.
Speaking to reporters during the Lab for All medical services here, Herbosa said it is high time to change the DOH's name to the Department of Health and Wellness, as other countries have done.
"Most of the reactions are in favor of changing the name of DOH, but the problem is the cost of changing it. Imagine the expense if we discard and replace all papers with our existing name and logo,” he said.
The DOH will have to come up with cost estimates and a timeline for this change.
"This is not a priority this time since we are more focused on the health agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.," Herbosa told reporters.
He said changing the name of DOH is a way of teaching people about health promotion and how to maintain health.
"The public must be aware that we are not just concerned about illness but wellness as well," he said.
Formed in 1898, the DOH is responsible for ensuring access to basic public health services for all Filipinos through the provision of quality health care and the regulation of all health services and products. (PNA)
