THE Department of Health (DOH) said it was inspired by the results of a recent national survey that showed majority of Filipinos were thankful for good health and the family.
The survey showed that in the last quarter of 2023, 51 percent of Filipinos were most thankful for “Good health,” with 29 thankful for “Family,” while 16 expressed gratitude for “Being alive.”
“We at the DOH are elated that Filipinos are most thankful for good health and the family. We are inspired to work smarter for improved family health in 2024, and beyond. Salamat po sa tiwala kay PBBM at sa DOH – Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon po sa ating lahat!,” DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.
The findings by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) were based on non-commissioned face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percent for national percentages.
During the second week of this month, respondents were asked, “As Christmas and the end of the year approaches, may I know what one or two things are you most thankful for in your life right now? What else?”
Last June, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. gave marching orders to the then-new DOH chief to take action against diseases and threats to the health of Filipino mothers, fathers, and most especially, children.
Part of the agency’s action was the formulation and eventual implementation of what it called the “8-Point Action Agenda (8PAA),” a medium-term strategy for the health sector for 2023 to 2028, as stated under DOH Administrative Order No. 2023-0015.
Among the focal points of the agenda are: Bawat Pilipino, ramdam ang kalusugan; Ligtas, dekalidad at mapagkalingang serbisyo; Teknolohiya para sa mabilis na serbisyo; Handa sa Krisis; Pag-iwas sa sakit; Ginhawa ng isip at damdamin; Kapakanan at Karapatan ng health workers; and Proteksyon sa anumang pandemya.
The 8PAA, which comes with a tagline “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay Mahalaga!,” was recently approved during the 12th National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board meeting chaired by the Chief Executive.