Text by: Angelou C. Mendoza

Photo by: Joseph A. Bautista

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa delivers a special lecture on “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: The Vital Role of Students and Faculty in Universal Healthcare Implementation” at the testimonial event for the passers of the October 2023 and April 2024 Physician Licensure Exam (PLE) and Medical Board topnotchers, held on June 18, 2024.

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro ‘Ted’ Herbosa delivered a special lecture on healthcare reform “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: The Vital Role of Students and Faculty in Universal Healthcare Implementation” on June 18, 2024, during the testimonial event held by the UP College of Medicine (UPCM) for the passers of the Physician Licensure Exam (PLE) and Medical Board topnotchers last October 2023 and April 2024. 

Amplifying the importance of an understanding of the medical healthcare professionals on the health system in the country and health sector agenda reforms, Sec. Herbosa began his talk by focusing on the Philippine health system and reforms, the Health Sector Agenda and DOH strategies, and DOH services, with emphasis on the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Act.

“I’m telling you right now, study this. Study how the healthcare system will be, because these are the policies you will be living in and practicing in the Philippines,” he encouraged the young doctors.

The Secretary pointed out the consistent use of the word “integration” in the UHC Act which implies the reintegration of the whole system in the country, which is the goal and purpose of the law. “It [UHC Act] should progressively realize Universal Health Care through a systemic approach and clear role delineation of stakeholders. Ensure equitable access to quality and affordable health care and protection against financial risk. Because I was for patient safety, I said you can never get quality care if you don’t have patient safety,” he explained.

Dr. Herbosa stressed that the health system should focus on primary care as it has greater impact, for it is the first contact of care to an individual seeking healthcare, enumerating the three Pillars of Primary Care according to DOH: health promotion and disease prevention, acute care, and women’s health. 

The Secretary ended his special talk by quoting his friend and colleague, Atul Gawande, the Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development for Global Health. “We look for medicine to be an orderly field of knowledge and procedure, but it is not. It is an imperfect science, an enterprise of constantly changing knowledge, uncertain information, fallible individuals, and at the same time, lives on the line. There is science in what we do, yes, but also a habit, intuitions, and sometimes plain old guessing. The gap between what we know and what we aim for persists. And this gap complicates everything we do. The second one says, better is possible. It does not take genius. It takes diligence. It takes moral clarity. It takes ingenuity, and above all, it takes willingness to try.”

UP Manila on the challenges of the health sector

In her message, UPCM Dean Charlotte M. Chiong pointed out the increasing cases of communicable and non-communicable diseases in the country, as well as the widespread misinformation. The Dean is positive about the support from the DOH on addressing these concerns of the country.

“There is no secret that our nation is at a critical juncture towards urgent attention because the statistics show that there’s a stark picture of a significant increase in the burden of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases in the country. You also heard the news that we are a victim of disinformation, no less than by some of our allies. And I think this is something that the Department of Health will also investigate and hopefully you can also help in this effort,” said Dean Chiong.  

She also expressed her deep desire for the UPCM community to fulfill its commitment to provide inclusive and positive impact in health to the Filipinos.

UP Manila Chancellor Michael L. Tee echoed Sec. Herbosa’s take on the advantages of Universal Health Care (UHC), with its path in instituting a new health insurance system and introduction of health care reforms in the country that would empower healthcare workers. 

The Chancellor resonated with Dean Chiong when he highlighted the importance of immediately addressing misinformation to improve health literacy in the country and alleviate the widespread of fake news, stating that this is where the UPCM community, especially the alumni, were expected to lead fulfilling the role of six star physician: clinician experts, researchers, community organizers, managers of healthcare system, physician scientist with nationalist fervor, and communicator.  

“Health literacy, or how people acquire, evaluate, and apply health information to inform their decision, is an important but underestimated tool to combat misinformation. And this is where you, as graduates of the UP College of Medicine, should be at the forefront of,” he said.

Through a virtual message, Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Director Gerardo “Gap” D. Legaspi generously shared the four virtues he followed by heart when reaching for greater heights in life which he learned from Dr. William Osler: first, the Art of Detachment, which is about being able to get away from one’s comfort zone and explore news things; second, the Virtue of Method, which is the path or process an individual take that brings success or makes a person surpass life’s challenges; third, Quality of Excellence, which is the guide of a person in decision-making in one’s life and drive to achieve higher goals; and lastly, the Grace of Community, which is the humility a person acquires from criticism and harsh words of other people, keeping him or her grounded despite all the achievements. 

Testimony from the Passers

Dr. John Michael S. Kimpo, who ranked fourth in the October 2023 PLE, spoke on behalf of his co-passers. “We want to see our healthcare system blossom into something which we could feel proud of to witness a time in our lives where we can [finally truly] say that health is for all.” He also emphasized witnessing both patient struggles within the healthcare system and the doctors’ own frustrations in delivering optimal care. Dr. Kimpo expressed hopes for a healthcare system that all can take pride in, where health truly becomes accessible to everyone.

UPCM College Secretary Dr. Abner L. Chan concluded the testimonial ceremony, reminding the passers to “make the most of privileges and opportunities that will come your way, but always be cognizant of the immense expectations and responsibilities such distinction brings. Remain humble and always choose to be kind. Be grateful to people who have nurtured you and are always by your side. Give back and make a positive impact.”

There were 164 board exam qualifiers and two topnotchers from UCPM in the October 2023 PLE, : Dr. John Michael S. Kimpo and Dr. Tranquil Matthew A. Salvador IV. In the recent April 2024 PLE, there were 20 board exam qualifiers and two topnotchers: Dr. James Patrick P. Ocampo and Dr. Fatima Ericka S. Vista. The new doctors are expected to deliver quality and excellent health care services responsive to the needs of the Filipinos. UPCM have been instrumental in the advocacy for Universal Health Care, also known as Kalusugang Pangkalahatan, and more are urged to take action and be involved.#