Making meaningful reforms in the health sector: Q&A with Doctor to the Barrio Dr Sarah Reem D Hesham Mohamed Hagag

As part of this school year’s Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) Master in Public Management (MPM) roster of medalists, Doctor to the Barrio Dr Sarah Reem D Hesham Mohamed Hagag shares the lessons she valued the most from her journey, and what she hopes to do with it in the future.

How does it feel to be a medalist in this batch?
I am Sarah Reem D Hesham Mohamed Hagag, MD, MBA, MPM, previous municipal health officer (Doctor to the Barrio) of San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands. I tried to learn all I could and put in the effort because I want to work in public health. It feels nice to have those efforts be recognized.

How did you find your experience with your fellow students and with the faculty? Any stories and lessons you would like to share?

The Health Innovation and Learning Summit (in partnership with the Department of Health) was a great experience because it allowed us to be creative with solutions to systemic problems. 

The health financing, public policy, and health governance classes are most helpful to me in my current line of work. What I like about the program is that it was organized according to the health system building blocks. I also appreciate that the classes provide good theoretical foundations, but the discussions are always contextualized and grounded in the Philippine health system. 

[I] feel fortunate to be taught and mentored by our faculty, who had a wealth of experience and knowledge to share, being very proficient and accomplished in their respective fields. 

What life lesson/s will you take away from your MPM experience? 

What I really learned from the faculty and classes is that progress and systemic reform is a very slow and grueling process, but it is crucial not to be disheartened because it is important work. 

I want to work in health financing, and I am fortunate to be working in that field right now. However, my mindset is to be where I am needed in public health.

Given the chance to talk to a future MPM student, what words of wisdom would you give?

[I would tell them to] make the most out of the classes. No matter what field they will be in, the courses will provide skills that will prove useful. 

The Doctor to the Barrios Program was created by the DOH to address the lack of doctors practicing in rural communities in the Philippines. ASOG’s DTTB students study under the MPM Health Governance (MPM-HG) Track.

The Ateneo School of Government congratulates the Master in Public Management Class of 2024. The hope is that the School’s students and graduates embody the values and skills taught by the institution wherever they may choose to serve.

This article is part of a series of features about this year’s MPM medalists. You may read more about our other medalists and valedictorian here.