Health secretary on leave for knee replacement
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa is currently on sick leave following knee replacement surgery, Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Albert Domingo confirmed on Saturday.
“Secretary Herbosa started his sick leave last July 6 for knee replacement surgery. The procedure went well, and he is now undergoing physical therapy and rehabilitation,” Domingo said in a Viber message to the Inquirer.
On Saturday, the health secretary posted a photo of himself on Facebook wearing a shirt with the words “new knee, new me” printed on it.
Domingo, also a DOH undersecretary, was designated as the agency’s officer in charge (OIC) while Herbosa is on leave.
‘Routine matter’
“Designating the chief of staff as OIC is routine. It is neither a secret nor something controversial. This is the second or third time I’ve been OIC—it happens across all departments when the Secretary is temporarily unavailable, and ends upon his return,” he said.
Domingo did not say how long the health secretary will remain on leave. “The length of time depends on his recovery. So far progress is good,” he said.
Herbosa has been the subject of reported cabinet reshuffles, but the DOH chief himself denied rumors that President Marcos was looking to replace him during a press briefing at Malacanang last January.
Meanwhile, several complaints have been filed against the health secretary before the Office of the Ombudsman.
In December last year, complainants, who referred to themselves as “concerned DOH employees,” called on the Ombudsman to investigate Herbosa for possible violations of anti graft and procurement laws over his alleged close ties with a health contractor.
They accused the secretary of “fraternizing” with Zuellig Pharma Corp. despite active participation in the agency’s bidding and procurement activities.
