Renowned cardiologist Esperanza Cabral today took her oath of office as secretary of the Department of Health.

Until her appointment to her new post, Cabral was secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Former DOH Secretary Francisco Duque had earlier been given a new position as head of the Civil Service Commission.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo swore Cabral in before convening the Cabinet-National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room in Malacanang.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines, Cabral took up residency training and post-graduate studies at the Philippine General Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts General Hospital and Joslin Clinic, both in Boston.

Cabral, who is also a clinical pharmacologist, vowed to continue working to ensure the delivery of health services to everyone.

She served in the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino as director of the Philippine Heart Center and commissioner for Science and Health on the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women.(PNA)