The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) welcomed the Department of Health (DOH) for a meeting focused on identifying potential areas of cooperation and strategic priorities between the two agencies, particularly in strengthening health-centered approaches to substance use and addressing the complex challenges associated with illegal drug use.
DDB Chairperson – Secretary Oscar Valenzuela and Executive Director – Undersecretary Earl Saavedra met with DOH Undersecretary Dr. Albert Francis Edralin Domingo to review their existing efforts and discuss how closer coordination can further strengthen the delivery of programs and services.
This included strengthening the operations of Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers (DATRCs) and looking more closely at the range of health needs that must be addressed in treatment and rehabilitation. In particular, the integration of mental health was emphasized as an important part of providing more comprehensive support to persons who use drugs (PWUDs), recognizing that substance use may be accompanied by mental and psychosocial concerns that also require appropriate care.
Making these services more accessible also calls for stronger support systems around treatment. In this regard, the agencies explored the potential inclusion of more comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation packages for PWUDs under PhilHealth, which could help address financial barriers and provide greater continuity of care.
The discussion also reflected the need to ensure that these policy directions translate into services that are accessible to the public.Aligned with the administration’s directive, the DDB and DOH works on ensuring that government policies and programs are felt and appreciated by the Filipino people through services that are responsive to their needs, accessible to those who require them, and able to translate policy into meaningful support.
With these priorities in view, the two agencies are aligning their respective mandates, programs, and expertise across treatment and rehabilitation, mental health integration, health financing, and service accessibility.
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