MANILA, Philippines – Former DOH secretary and senator Juan Flavier (Juan Martin Flavier) passed away on Thursday afternoon due to multiple organ failure caused by pneumonia at 79 years old.
According to a report by Rappler, Flavier was brought to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute last September 10 on suspicion of food poisoning.
The was later diagnosed with pneumonia and brought to the intensive care unit on September 11. The former DOH secretary died peacefully at 3:55 pm on Thursday October 30, more than month later.
Juan Flavier rose to fame after he was appointed to the poition of Secretr of Department of Heath by President Ramos from 1992 up until 1995.
He ran for senator where he served for two terms, from 2002 up until 2007. He was the 21st President of the Philippine Senate.
During his tenure as Senator, Juan Flavier authored a number of laws, such as the Anti-Money Laundering Law, Poverty Alleviation Law, Clean Air Act and Traditional Medicine Law.
He is known for his perfect attendance in the Senate, as well as being the Senator to make least use of his PDAF (Presidential Development Assistance Fund).
Flavier is most famous for a number of campaigns such as the “Let’s DOH It!” campaign under the Department of Health and the Yosi Kadiri campaign against cigarette smoking.
A trained Medical Doctor, Juan Flavier received his degree in Medicine from the prestigious University of the Philippines College of Medicine, UP Manila in 1960 and Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in 1969.
He leaves behind his wife, Susan, and their children Jondi, Johnet, James, and Joy.
He died surrounded by his family, his former chief of staff at the Senate, Rudy Quimbo, former staff member Ramon Navarra, former DOH undersecretary Susy Pineda Mercado, and former senator Orly Mercado.