By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) chief Dr. Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr. as the country’s new Health Secretary following the resignation of Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, Malacañang announced Monday.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Herbosa submitted his courtesy resignation due to health reasons after recently undergoing a medical procedure.
Herbosa reportedly confirmed he had resigned and said he would undergo extensive rehabilitation for the next three to four months.
Herbosa, a physician and former Department of Health (DOH) undersecretary, was appointed Health secretary in June 2023.
His successor, Pujalte, is a veteran orthopedic surgeon and career public health administrator who has spent more than three decades in government service.
Pujalte has served as Medical Center Chief II of the Philippine Orthopedic Center since 2014, overseeing the country’s premier specialty hospital for orthopedics and rehabilitation medicine.
A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, he also holds a master’s degree in hospital administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and completed fellowship training in Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.
He previously served as president of the Philippine Orthopedic Association and the ASEAN Orthopaedic Association and was among those considered for the Health Secretary post in 2022 before Herbosa’s appointment.
Meanwhile, Herbosa congratulated Pujalte for his appointment.
In a statement released Monday, Herbosa said he underwent a successful bilateral knee replacement surgery on July 7.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa pagkakataong ibinigay sa akin bilang ika-tatlumpung Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan (I am grateful for the opportunity given to me to serve as the 30th Secretary of the Department of Health),” Herbosa said.
He said his ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation require full attention that could interfere with his day-to-day duties at the department.
Reflecting on his tenure, Herbosa highlighted the programs achieved under the Marcos administration’s mandate to make public service felt by the people.
He cited the implementation of key initiatives such as Zero Balance Billing, BUCAS centers, PuroKalusugan, PhilHealth YAKAP and GAMOT programs.
However, Herbosa noted that “much more needs to be done to fully achieve a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines). (With Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA)
