In the early 1900s, 200,222 lives including 66,000 children were lost; three percent of the population was decimated in the worst epidemic in Philippine health history.

In view of this, the Americans organized and erected several institutions, including the Bureau of Governmental Laboratories, which was built in 1901 for medical research and vaccine production.

The Americans, led by Dean Worcester built the UP College of Medicine and Surgery in 1905, with Johns Hopkins University serving as a blueprint, at the time, one of the best medical schools in the world.

In terms of public health, the Americans improved on the sewer system and provided a safer water supply.

During the succeeding years leadership and a number of health institutions were already being given to Filipinos, in accordance with the Organic Act of 1916.

By 1936, as Governor-General Frank Murphy was assuming the post of United States High Commissioner, he would remark that the Philippines led all oriental countries in terms of health status.

[4] When the Commonwealth of the Philippines was inaugurated, Dr. Jose F. Fabella was named chief of the Bureau of Health.

During this time, the major priorities of the agency were tuberculosis, malnutrition, malaria, leprosy, gastrointestinal disease, and the high infant mortality rate.

This was soon followed by the Lung Center of the Philippines, which was constructed under the guidance of Health Minister Dr. Enrique Garcia.

On December 17, 2016, Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rossel-Ubial announced that in 2017 the government will start paying the hospital bills and medicines of poor Filipinos.

She said that the Department of Health (DOH) is capable of taking care of the hospital bills and medicines of poor Filipinos owing to its bigger budget starting in 2017.

[5] A total of ₱96.336 billion was allocated to the DOH in the 2017 national budget, which includes funds for the construction of additional health facilities and drug rehabilitation centers.

Ubial said poor patients in government hospitals do not even have to present PhilHealth cards when they avail of assistance.

Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on finance said that the proposed ₱3.35-trillion national budget for 2017 will provide healthcare assistance to all Filipinos, and an additional ₱3 billion was allocated to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to ensure coverage for all Filipinos.

Two months later, the Philippines implemented national lockdowns, mask mandate, and social distancing.

Internal Audit Service (IAS), including the Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART) Secretariat; 9.

Malasakit Program Office (MPO), to also handle Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) concerns; 10.

Supply Chain Management Service (SCMS) Health Regulations and Facility Development Cluster (HRFDC) 1.

Procurement Service (PS) Special Concerns and Public-Private Partnership Cluster (SCPPPC) 1.