Amid the increasing cases of COVID-19 in the country and the need to focus on health solutions from health experts, Dr. Tony Leachon announced on Wednesday he is no longer a Special Adviser to the National Task Force on COVID-19. He hinted that he was forced to vacate the post after two Cabinet officials were displeased when he publicly criticized gaps in the government’s response measures.
Dr. Leachon was a special adviser of National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
The announcement came abruptly just three days after he publicly revealed gaps of the Department of Health, saying it has “lost focus” on its priorities in containing COVID-19 infections.
I left NTF due to the my differences with DOH policies eg. Lack of sense of urgency , problems in COVID data management , and transparency in communication process. That’s life. That’s how it is. There’s a silver lining though . Thank you very much.— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) June 17, 2020
“I think I was asked to resign, ‘yun ang real (score),” Dr. Leachon shared in a TV interview.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with DOH in terms of risk communication, data management, and execution of all plans in battling the local coronavirus outbreak.
He has also called upon the agency to improve data accuracies as it will help LGUs quickly respond and curb possible infections. He also lamented what he called the department’s unreliable and delayed reporting of confirmed COVID-19 cases, which is supposed to shape state policies.
“It was an episodic, emotional outburst like a private citizen, not in any way to criticize in a negative way but I feel it’s a constructive comment so that the health agency will shape up… Masakit sa akin kasi [it pains me because] I know I can add value to the crusade, but I don’t want also to be a burden to Sec. Galvez,” Leachon explained.
“My manner of communicating to the public – truthful, transparent, open and straightforward – might not be aligned with the communication strategy of the Palace, doon po siguro kami hindi nagkaintindihan [maybe that’s where we had a falling out],” he added.
“Hindi nila nagustuhan ‘yung manner that I communicate to the public as to the many lapses of the Department of Health.”
