OFFICIALS and workers of the Department of Health (DOH) 7 wore black armbands yesterday to condemn the killing of a government doctor in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte last week.
The black armband is a sign of the agency’s protest of Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas death.
Perlas, who was a physician deployed under the Doctors to the Barrios program, was shot dead by an unknown gunman in Kapatagan while riding his motorcycle.
Perlas was going home from a medical mission in a neighboring town when he was gunned down.
Dr. Jaime Bernadas, DOH 7 director, said the black armbands were being worn by all medical and non-medical personnel of the agency nationwide.
In a statement, DOH Secretary Paulyn Ubial urged the local government units to improve the working conditions of doctors and medical personnel in their area, and ensure that they are safe.
“We ask our local governments to please protect our doctors and health workers. Help them so they can serve you better,” she said.