Press Release | 10 July 2024

Department of Health (DOH) Philippines OIC Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Dr. Albert Domingo, representing Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, joined an international panel discussion on Universal Health Coverage, digital health, and the patient experience held on July 10, 2024 during International Healthcare Week in Bangkok, Thailand. Joining him were WHO Representative to Thailand Dr. Jos Vandelaer, Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia Senior Deputy Director Dr. Davis Johnraj, and MOH Viet Nam Director Assoc Prof Luong Ngoc Khue.

Asec. Domingo shared to an international audience the Philippine efforts to improve primary health care service delivery closest to families and communities. He discussed how the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) centers, Bagong Pilipinas Mobile Clinics, and PuroKalusugan program are expanding access to quality healthcare in the Philippines.

Earlier in the same day, Asec. Domingo and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Dr. Samuel Zacate joined Dr. Thanakrit Chit-Areerat, Vice Minister for Public Health of Thailand and other dignitaries as they formally opened the convention that brings together 350 health technology companies and brands from 28 countries all under one roof.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is keen on bringing top of the line and value-for-money healthcare innovations and technology for our people. His orders to Secretary Teodoro Herbosa include modernization of our health system to give the best for the poorest,” said Asec. Domingo. “Our updates on the Philippines’ focus on primary health care as the foundation of UHC got many in the convention interested in helping out. This way, our ongoing efforts will have better support,” the Spokesperson added.