đź“·Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa
The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) expressed concerns following recent reports of Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa posing with executives from the tobacco industry.
As an organization committed to safeguarding public health and advocating for the welfare of health workers, the AHW views this as a significant issue concerning the ongoing national efforts to reduce smoking rates and protect citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco-related diseases.
Seeing the DOH Secretary alongside tobacco executives sends the wrong message, particularly as tobacco use continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the country. As a health secretary who’s supposed to prioritize patients, he should be aware of the harm caused by smoking.
While the AHW recognizes that Secretary Herbosa may have been engaged in discussions related to policy or regulatory frameworks aimed at harm reduction, it is vital for public health leaders to engage with all sectors carefully. Such meetings, however, must be scrutinized to ensure they do not undermine the integrity of health policies.
As health workers, dedicated to combating the harmful effects of smoking, the AHW calls for transparency and accountability in how health leaders engage with industries known for promoting products that are detrimental to public health. There must be a clear and unwavering focus on protecting the health and well-being of the Filipino people. #
