Manila: Former Senator Juan C. Flavier has passed away at the age of 79, due to complications resulting from pneumonia.
Easily one of the country’s most recognisable public servants, the diminutive 4 foot, 11 inch-tall (1.49 metres) Flavier did not let his small physical stature stand in the way of his desire to serve the public.
As a Health Secretary appointed by then President Fidel Ramos, Flavier from 1992 to 1995, he used his wit and natural showmanship to promote difficult health programmes including weaning Filipinos from the habit of smoking.
Flavier used the bloodshot-eyed and crooked-toothed mascot “Yosi Kadiri” to warn the youth about the dangers of smoking cigarettes.
“He was an exemplary Filipino leader,” Presidential communication Secretary Herminio Coloma said on Thursday afternoon on the news of Flavier’s death.
“We join the Filipino people in mourning the death of former Senator and Health Secretary Juan Flavier. As a public servant, he championed the cause of countryside development and upgrading the quality of public health care,” according to Coloma.
In the 1970s while he was still a practising physician, Flavier wrote the 208-page book Doctor To The Barrios, Experiences in the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement.
The book detailed difficulties of doctors living and working in rural areas of the country and was instrumental in developing the government programme requiring newly graduated physicians to deliver compulsory services to health outposts in remote areas of the country.
Flavier’s book also detailed problems rural doctors faced, such as overcoming local folk’s established beliefs and practices.
Known for his simplicity, Flavier had a genuine talent for relating with his patients — and later on the general public.
“His simplicity, jovial character and common touch will be missed,” said Coloma.
Flavier’s ability to “connect” with the people also allowed the government at that time to achieve its goal of 100 per cent immunisation against diseases such as polio, and tuberculosis among other highly-transmissible ailments
Through programmes such as Oplan Alis Disease (No More Diseases), as well as HIV and Aids prevention schemes, the Philippine health sector was able to achieve various goals at grassroots level under Flavier.
Due to his popularity, he was persuaded by President Ramos to run for Senator.
In 1995, he won his first term as a legislator in the Upper Chamber, and in 2001, voters gave him another six-year mandate.
After his term ended, he hosted a radio programme with his namesake senator, Juan Ponce Enrile.
The name of their on-air show was “Juan on Juan”.
After a several-season run, the two parted ways.
According to reports, the Senator breathed his last in the presence of his wife, Susan and four children.
