DOH Western Visayas postpones Cebu deployment amid doctor concerns

The Department of Health (DOH) Western Visayas has postponed the deployment of a medical team to Cebu City after doctors raised concerns about the order.

Four batches totaling 39 physicians, including Doctors to the Barrios (DTTBs) and those in the Post Residency Deployment Program, were initially assembled following an order from Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

The DTTBs criticized the DOH directive as abrupt and exploitative, citing a lack of written notification, consultation, and clear guidelines.

DOH Region 6 Director Marlyn Convocar stated that the deployment is on hold until all issues and concerns are resolved with the physicians and other stakeholders.

The first batch of the medical team had already met on June 26 and expressed concerns that were to be considered by management.

Concerns were personally expressed by the first batch members to the CHD Director on June 29, leading to the suspension of the deployment.

The DOH's order to send more doctors to Cebu City was in response to the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the area.