The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (CDC) officially launched a new country headquarters in Manila this month as part of its effort to enhance and broaden its existing cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH) to develop a huge spectrum of common focus areas, including additional health safety in Asia.
In addition, the DOH and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lauded the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Health and Medical Sciences designed to increase collaborative efforts between the U.S. and the Philippines in the areas of public health disaster preparedness and response; the prevention and control communicable diseases; and the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of why robust multinational alliances are so important for global wellbeing. With the establishment of the U.S. CDC Philippines national office, we are strengthening the long-standing HHS cooperation between our two nations and our joint efforts to create a better world," said HHS Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs Loyce Pace in a Monday press statement.
Dr. Romel Lacson will serve as the Philippines' first CDC country chief. Lacson will administer CDC-supported health and other related programs in coordination with health partners and oversee the agency's peer to peer engagement with the DOH to address common health goals.
CDC is the public health agency of the United States and the primary implementer of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Through its new office, the CDC will also provide vital technical assistance and support services to the DOH in order to enhance the nation's HIV and tuberculosis prevention, treatment, and care efforts and slow the twin epidemics.
Through its new office, the CDC will also provide vital technical assistance and support services to the DOH in order to enhance the nation's HIV and tuberculosis prevention, treatment, and care efforts and slow the twin epidemics.
"In this new era, collaboration is more important than ever. Together, we must be willing to face obstacles and create possibilities. This is why the opening of this office and our collaborative efforts are so crucial," said Lacson.
In the Southeast Asia/Pacific area, the Philippines has seen the fastest-growing HIV epidemic over the past four years, with a sevenfold increase in newly confirmed cases between 2010 and 2018.
