HINDI eksklusibo sa mga doctor at scientist ang paghahatid ng health services sa taumbayan.

Ganito idinepensa ni dating Health secretary at ngayo’y Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin ang appointment ni dating Philippine National Police chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan bilang undersecretary ng Department of Health (DOH).

“We respect the Executive’s decision to appoint a non-doctor in the Department of Health (DOH). Delivery of health services is not just about doctors and scientists working together,” ani Garin.

Patuloy na umaani ng pagbatikos ang pagkakatalaga kay Cascolan sa nasabing posisyon partikular ang hanay ng health workers.

Sinabi ni Garin na importante na magkaroon ng opisyal sa DOH na may kakayahan sa management at maabot nito ang mga tao upang mapulsuhan sa kanilang mga higit na pangangailangan.

“The management skills of General Cascolan has long been proven in his several years of untainted service. Quick and timely response during calamities as well as coordinated implementation of programs under a devolved healthcare, not to mention the gigantic task of logistics and planning, are important factors in DOH,” ayon pa sa mambabatas.

Bagama’t napakaimportante ang papel aniya ng scientists at doctors sa health services, kailangan din aniya ang tulong ng mga non-medical managers upang masiguro na maimplementa ang programa sa grassroot level.

Kabilang sa mga pumalag sa appointment ni Cascolan si Senador Risa Hontiveros dahil sa kawalan aniya ng kwalipikasyon, expertise at di aktibo sa public heath sector ang heneral.

Sa pahayag, sinabi ni Hontiveros na tulad ng marami, hindi nito inaasahan ang pagkakatalaga kay Cascolan sa DOH.

“Aside from considering him a friend and my mistah, I respect Gen. Cascolan as an officer and a gentleman. His stint at the PNP speaks for itself,” giit ni Hontiveros.

“But the DOH should and must always be a public health-led agency, especially as we continue to deal with COVID-19 and other burdens of disease,” dagdag ng senador.

Aniya, kanyang kinikilala ang prerogative ng Chief Executive na magtalaga ng sinoman sa alinmang ahensiya ng pamahalaan pero mali ang kanyang inaasahan.

“We hope that the DOH will find suitable roles for Usec. Cascolan to further add value in addressing threats to public health security and safety in our communities,”ani Hontiveros. (BERNARD TAGUINOD/ESTONG REYES)