ILOILO City – Western Visayas would triumph over the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, stressed incoming Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 director Adriano Subaan during the turnover ceremony yesterday, June 30, at the DOH regional office.
Subaan replaces effective today, July 1, Dr. Emilia Monicimpo who is retiring after over 33 years in government service.
He said health programs, projects and activities of DOH-6 would be sustained.
“Just like other challenges in the past, this, too, shall pass. And we shall prevail,” Subaan emphasized.
The new director vowed to work hand in hand with other health stakeholders in the country.
“We shall carry the mandate and the mission of our office efficiently in collaboration with the other health stakeholders with grit and compassion,” he said.
Mayor Jerry Treñas agreed with Subaan, who paid him a courtesy call on Monday.
“We need to work closely,” Treñas said, adding that he took the opportunity to raise to Subaan the five issues of local chief executives in Western Visayas that DOH-6 should act upon.
These were the need for more medical personnel for the hospitals, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) non-payment to hospitals, ore COVID medicines, more anti-coronavirus jabs, and more medical equipment such as ventilators and high flow oxygen cannula.
Subaan formerly headed DOH Region 10 (Northern Mindanao)./PN
