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COTABATO CITY - The Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao received medical equipment from the United States Agency for International Development to be utilized at the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital, Sulu Provincial Hospital, and Doctor Serapio Montaner District Hospital for the delivery of quality and cost-effective treatment.Fighting against COVID-19 was never been easy. Everyone is vulnerable as the virus kills at no aged. As of June 19, 2023, adding 505 to the total of 4,159,815 cases, 8,659 active cases, 4,084,674 recoveries, and 66, 482 deaths in the entire country. In BARMM alone, a total of 28, 804 cases, 61 active cases, 28, 132 recoveries, and 607 deaths.
In order to enhance the healthcare system and to respond to emergencies in BARMM, especially in addressing public health issues such as COVID-19, the Ministry of Health – BARMM receives oxygen commodities from the USAID through Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (Epic) Project led by the FHI 360.
Epic collaborates with the MOH-BARMM to support the healthcare workers and deliver resources and capacity building in addressing COVID-19. Aside from handing over the oxygen commodities, it includes technical orientation and mechanical ventilator troubleshooting training and installation on how to use the items.
Maguindanao Provincial Hospital, Sulu Provincial Hospital, and Dr. Serapio Montaner District Hospital were the recipients of the oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeter, and disposable humidifier.
MOH-BARMM Director II for Operation, Dr. Tato Usman stated that one of the directions of the MOH-BARMM is open the doors of collaboration to the development partners and agencies whether local or international level pertaining to the health of the Bangsamoro people. The present BARMM Government creates the hospital operation bureau to provide opportunities, upgrade eligible hospitals, and standardized the BARMM hospital and health facilities, thereby treating or preventing diseases, especially in times of epidemic and pandemic.
FHI 360 country representative Dr. Soliman Guirgis addresses his gratitude to the health leadership in BARMM, “this would not have happened without the dedication and hard work of the health workers in BARMM, for supporting our team and to help us to handover these commodities to the recipient hospitals in BARMM.”
Also, Sulu Provincial Hospital expressed their appreciation “We are deeply honored to be chosen as one the recipient of these oxygen commodities. In Sulu, we do not have a gas power plant yet, these oxygen commodities are really of great help, thank you for aiding us since day one.”
Lastly, MOH-BARMM Deputy Minister Zul Qarnayn Abas "We would like to thank the USAID for the support they have given to help us to fight against COVID-19. This equipment cannot only be used to fight against COVID but even after COVID. In BARMM there are many areas where in immunization is very low because of many factors. We do not remain complaisant about COVID-19; we also foresee some cases, especially in the island provinces. We are looking forward to more collaboration. In the island provinces in BARMM, they purchase their oxygen tanks and refill them in Zamboanga City. They have to bring them by boat or ship, it takes not only hours but days that it is time-consuming, costly, in short it is very difficult."
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COTABATO CITY - The Ministry of Health - BARMM together with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) celebrates World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) with a theme: " Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often".Apart from celebrating World Blood Donor Day every 14th day of June through Mobile Blood Donation, the BDA also simultaneously administered their 57th Muslim Blood Donation (MBD) in Cotabato City.
The activity aims to encourage everyone on the importance and benefits of donating blood to help save lives. Accordingly, donating blood can help reduce the risk of heart and liver diseases.
Apparently, a total of 176 bags of blood were collected from different donors. BDA expressed gratitude to their partners, volunteers, and especially the blood donors for sharing life.
Also, Piang advocates blood donation " to give sadaqah (charity) and save people's lives by giving blood voluntarily".
"Blood donors are the modern heroes of today for voluntarily donating their blood to and to extend the lives of others."
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COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) on Wednesday launched a program aimed at ensuring the safety and welfare of students against dengue.“It is important that we ensure students' safety, just like the teachers, we are passionately committed to this campaign of making sure that the schools are ready and dengue-free,” MOH-BARMM Deputy Minister Zul Qarneyn Abas, MD told the media during the school-based launch of "Den-get out" at Lugay-Lugay Elementary School in Cotabato City.
The campaign highlighted the school-based Dengue Awareness Campaign with the 5S strategy (Search and destroy breeding places, Secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and Support fogging/spraying in hotspot areas), turnover of anti-dengue and other vector control supplies; ceremonial installation of Olyset nets and the mini gallery, and showcasing the seven healthy habits.
Abas said these measures can effectively prevent dengue transmission.
Based on the data from January to June 2023, the BARMM region reported 662 dengue cases, showing a threefold decrease compared to 2022.
The most affected age group was 0-9 years old, prompting a call for children to actively engage in search and destroy activities and wear protective clothing.
“Mas marami ang cases ng Dengue sa mga kabataan kaysa sa mga matatanda. Kaya’t kayo na mga kabataan, magsearch and destroy, at magsuot kayo ng mahahabang manggas,” Abas stressed.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, kailangan po namin ang inyong tulong o kolaborasyon upang masugpo itong dengue,” he added.
Nurse Ron Aray, MOH Regional Program Coordinator, stressed the need for early detection to ensure prompt treatment and prevent severe complications or fatalities.
Dengue is caused by four virus serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. Most individuals with mild dengue fever recover within a week.
City Health Officer Dr. Marlow Niñal, representing Nurse Bai Indira Mundas, the City Dengue Program Coordinator, called upon the public, schools, and barangays to support the city and government in their efforts.
“Hindi po kaya ng City health at MOH lang ito, kailangan namin ng coordination at tulong ng mga paaralan at mga barangays sa kampanya,” Niñal emphasized.
In addition, 50 students received learner kits comprising notebooks, pencils, rulers, scissors, erasers, sharpeners, pencil cases, and tumblers.
The activity was graced by City Deputy Mayor for Muslim Affairs Abdullah Andang, Cotabato City School Division Superintendent Concepcion Balawag, Ph.D., CESO V, Lugay-Lugay Central School Principal I Sadat Minandang,Ph. D, and representatives from Barangay Local Government Units, among other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, apart from “Dengue Awareness” which is the highlight of the activity, the MOH-BARMM introduce to the students the “Health is Life” campaign in school-based.
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CAMIGUIN, Province - The Ministry Of Health conducted a 4-day Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Training started Monday.Initiated by the Nutrition Division, the training aims to understand the principle and processes of SBCC, local situation and context, and communication strategy as a tool for behavior change.
Sagaral also delivered the message of Dr. Ahmad Fawadz A. Israel, Director II for Public Health, to all the participants.
“Thank you for your dedication, your unwavering commitment, and the profound impact you will continue to make. I have no doubt that the future holds great promise, and I am honored to stand among such remarkable individuals. May we
all continue to strive for excellence in the pursuit of a healthier and vibrant Bangsamoro!”
Moreover, Dr. Ronald Castillo, World Food Programme Policy Officer for Social and Behavior Change focuses on the topics Knowing the SBCC, Focusing and Designing, Creating, Implementing and Monitoring and Evaluating and Replanning.
“SBCC also aims to create a communication strategy using data from a formative research and identity key components of an implementation and evaluation plan and replanning for managing the campaign,” Castillo said.
Amina Lim, SBC Officer of United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF also share their best practices in regards to Social Welfare Behavior Change.
Saida Diocolano-Ali, HEPO III, also gave her closing message during the event.
“We are doing this not just for ourselves but for public service as well,” Ali said.
The workshop ended with fun games, shared their learnings and awarding of tokens and certificates to all the participants.
Participants were from different staff from Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of BARMM.
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