Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 24) – The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has opened a new country office in the Philippines, the U.S. Embassy announced.
The US CDC Philippines Country Office will collaborate with the Department of Health (DOH) to prevent and control diseases and boost the country’s health capacity, especially in responding to public health emergencies, the embassy said in a statement on Monday.
Loyce Pace, assistant secretary for global affairs of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of having a strong partnership between the two nations in terms of health security.
“With the opening of the US CDC Philippines country office, we are further reinforcing the long-standing HHS partnership between our two countries and our work together to build a healthier world,” Pace said.
Dr. Romel Lacson was tapped to serve as the first country director of the US CDC Philippines Country Office.
“In this new era, partnership is more essential than ever. We must be willing to take on challenges together and create opportunities together,” Lacson said.
The DOH and HHS also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Health and Medical Sciences to strengthen the collaboration between the two countries in public health emergencies preparedness and prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
