President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Dr. Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr., the current chief of the Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC), to lead the Department of Health (DOH) following the resignation of Dr. Teodoro Herbosa.
Malacañang confirmed the leadership change during a press briefing, where Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro explained that Herbosa stepped down due to medical reasons. The outgoing health chief recently underwent knee replacement surgery and faces an estimated three to four months of rehabilitation.
In a message to DOH staff and medical officials, Herbosa expressed that his physical recovery would prevent him from dedicating his “full time and effort” to the demanding role. Despite his departure, he rallied the department to stay focused on its mission.
“Please continue working hard for the health of the Filipino people,” he said.
Herbosa assumed office in June 2023 and led the health department for over three years. While his tenure saw significant public health initiatives, his administration faced mounting scrutiny in recent months from various sectors regarding alleged management issues, prompting some groups to demand his resignation before he ultimately stepped aside for health reasons.