MANILA- Department of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire bagged the celebrated Philippine Medical Association’s Dr. Jose P. Rizal Memorial Award in the Government Service Category at the Manila Hotel last May 18, 2023.
The PMA’s Dr. Jose P. Rizal Memorial Award recognizes annually outstanding Filipino physicians who uphold and practice the ideals of the national hero.
On its 32nd installment, OIC Vergeire, was chosen through a rigorous process, evaluated by the board of judges of the medical body from across the country, along with other finalists working in the government sector. The Health OIC received the distinction awarded by PMA officials headed by its President, Dr. Maria Minerva Calimag.
Serving as the spokesperson for the Department since the onset of the COViD-19 pandemic and now that the world is moving forward, OIC Vergeire encouraged building on pandemic gains and building upon the country’s successes in hurdling the global health threat.
She also highlighted the need to fill the gaps and improve primary care, health infrastructure, health workforce capacity, as well as foster collaboration and partnership between the government and organizations.
Other awards conferred are for the academe, clinical practice, community leadership, and research categories.
“This award recognizes the DOH as a whole. What we have embodied is a reflection of all the efforts, blood and sweat, of our healthcare workers and our government servants. This fuels us to pursue what we have started, especially as we move forward from the pandemic. The PMA has always been one of our collaborators in advancing the goals of Universal Health Care and increasing equity in access.
“Asahan po ng ating mga kababayan na itong pagkilalang ito ay magsisilbing inspirasyon upang paigtingin pa ang pagpapaabot ng serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan, lalung-lalo na iyong mga nasa malalayong lugar at hirap sa pag-access ng mga ito. Muli, kami po ay taos-pusong pasasalamat sa PMA,” expressed OIC Vergeire.