- Countries set to formalise agreement on partnership
KINGSTON, Jamaica. Friday, January 17, 2025: Secretary of Health of the Philippines, Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa will arrive to the island on Monday (January 20) for a three-day working visit as part of plans to sign an agreement for collaboration to address challenges faced in human resources for health.
The distinguished Trauma Surgeon and Emergency Medicine Physician will lead a four-member delegation to Jamaica following a visit to the Philippines in December by senior technocrats in the Ministry of Health and Wellness to further health cooperation dialogue between both countries.
Jamaica is exploring collaboration with the Philippines for health workforce training, inclusive of nurse recruitment in response to the shortage of specialist nurses in the island. Other areas of potential collaboration include health facilities maintenance, biotechnology, and healthcare management.
In side-meetings held at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA 77) in Geneva, May 2024, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP and the Secretary of Health of the Philippines discussed technical cooperation for the training and recruitment of health professionals. A Joint Communique on Cooperation for Human Resources for Health (HRH) was also signed in Geneva, with the parties agreeing to the working visit to the Philippines by senior health officials from Jamaica.
The three-day official visit, from January 20 to 23, will see the Secretary of Health paying a courtesy call to the Minister of Health and Wellness, delivering special remarks at the opening ceremony of the Ministry’s Career Expo and Employment Fair on Wednesday, January 22, and touring health facilities.
Secretary Herbosa’s impact extends globally through his involvement in international collaborations, including serving on the Board of Directors for the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) and as a Medical Consultant/Adviser for various organizations.
Amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as a Special Adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID-19, offering expert guidance and contributing to the formulation of strategies to mitigate the impact of the virus.