FORCED TO RESIGN | Government removes medical doctor in crisis panel over policy differences

June 17, 2020 , 04:42 PM

(June 17, 2020) – A medical doctor giving advice to a public health crisis on how to address the coronavirus was forced to resign after clashing with some government officials over policy directions.

Dr. Anthony Leachon said he was forced to resign as an adviser of the inter-agency task force for management of emerging infectious disease after he openly criticized the health department last week.

“It’s with deepest regret that I announce that I am not anymore special adviser effective today,” Leachon announced. “I have my full respect for Secretary Charlie Galvez and we will remain as good friends.”

Leachon is the second official to have stepped down over differences on how the government is responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

In April, socio-economic secretary Ernesto Pernia resigned as an offshoot of policy differences with another Cabinet official. Pernia also pushed for the gradual reopening of business establishments to prevent more economic losses.

Leachon has been tapped to help advise the government on how to respond to the crisis. Last week, he criticized the health department as the number of coronavirus infections continued to increase.

“I think DOH has lost focus in everything,” he said in a Facebook post. “Risk communication, priorities, data management and execution of all plans.”

But his comment did not sit well with some members of the crisis panel. The health department has been under fire for mishandling of the pandemic.

Later in a television program, Pernia said the “orchestra is not well orchestrated,” because of conflicting statement by officials, which was refuted by government spokesman Harry Roque Jr.

Also on Tuesday night, University of the Philippines professor Clarita Carlos told One PH’s “Sa Totoo Lang” she was puzzled why the public health crisis panel is made up of ex-military men, instead of health experts.

“Sa ibang bansa, ang mga decision maker ay virologists [at] epidemiologists, dito retired military,” she said. “Consultant ka nga [pero] I’m sure ‘yung memo na pinapadala namin tinatapon sa basurahan.”

The coronavirus pandemic has gripped the Philippines hard, with infections nearing 27,000 as of Tuesday. Some 1,103 had also died, while 6,552 had recovered. (Christian de Lano Deiparine/MM)

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