Juan Flavier facts for kids

Juan Martin Flavier (born June 23, 1935 – died October 30, 2014) was an important Filipino doctor and politician. He served as the Secretary of Health for the Philippines from 1992 to 1995. Later, he became a Senator, serving from 1995 to 2007.

Early Life and Education

Juan Flavier was born in Tondo, Manila, a busy part of Manila. His family was very poor, and his parents had little schooling. He later moved to Baguio and finished high school there.

He studied hard to become a doctor. In 1960, he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the UP College of Medicine. He then went to Johns Hopkins University in the United States. There, he earned a Master's degree in Public Health in 1969. This degree helped him learn how to improve health for many people.

Helping the Barrios

After becoming a doctor, Flavier chose to help people in poor rural areas. He worked in villages, called barangays, in Nueva Ecija and Cavite. He was known as a "doctor to the barrios" (doctor to the villages). He spent 30 years working as a country doctor, helping those who needed it most.

His dedication was recognized. In 1967, he became the president of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement. This group helps improve life in rural areas. From 1978 to 1992, he also led the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction.

A Leader in Health

In 1992, the President of the Philippines, Fidel Ramos, asked Flavier to be the Secretary of Health. This meant he was in charge of health for the whole country.

During his time as Secretary, he started many popular health programs. These included:

• "Let's DOH it"
• "Yosi Kadiri" (a campaign against smoking)
• Oplan Alís Disease (a plan to get rid of diseases)
• Kontra Kolera (against cholera)
• Stop TB (to fight tuberculosis)
• Araw ng Sangkáp Pinoy (a day to promote healthy food)
• Family Planning
• Doctor to the Barrios Program (which he started earlier)

He also helped organize barangay health workers. These are local volunteers who help with health in their communities. Flavier was a very popular government official. People saw his department as one of the most effective. He served as Secretary of Health until 1995.

Serving in the Senate

In 1995, Juan Flavier decided to run for Senator. He won and was re-elected for a second term in 2001. He was one of the top candidates elected.

As a Senator, he wrote and supported many important laws. Some of these laws helped with:

• Traditional Medicine
• Reducing poverty
• Clean air
• Rights of indigenous people
• Fighting money laundering
• Supporting small businesses
• National service for students
• Controlling dangerous drugs
• Protecting plant varieties
• Nursing practices
• Tobacco regulation
• Making Eid'l Fitr a national holiday

He was known for always attending Senate sessions. A special resolution after his death noted his perfect attendance. It also said he was key in creating laws that improved public health and people's lives. He was also known as the "poorest" senator, showing he was not focused on getting rich.

Flavier also appeared on Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko, a TV show that helps the public.

Later Life and Legacy

Juan Flavier wrote a regular newspaper column. In it, he shared his experiences as a doctor in the countryside. He continued writing even when he was the Health Secretary.

He also wrote several books, including Doctor to the Barrios. This book tells stories about his work with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement.

Books by Juan Flavier

• Doctor to the Barrios, Experiences with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (1970)
• My Friends in the Barrios (1974)
• Back to the Barrios: Balikbaryo (1978)
• Parables of the Barrio: Vol. I (1988)
• Parables of the Barrio: Vol. II, Nos. 51-100 (1989)
• Parables of the Barrio: Vol. III, Nos. 101-150 (1991)
• Let's DOH It!: How We Did It (1998)
• From Barrio to Senado: an Autobiography (2009)

Death

Juan Flavier passed away on October 30, 2014, at the age of 79. He had been in the hospital since September 11. He died from complications related to pneumonia, which led to organ failure.