COTABATO CITY- The Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) conducted the groundbreaking rites for the construction of the Special Geographic Areas (SGA) health office and inaugurated three barangay health stations on Friday (March 31).

The said facilities are for the towns of Batulawan, Balungis, and Fort Pikit as part of the ongoing expansion of the provision of medical services in the Bangsamoro Region.

Present during the event were MOH Deputy Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas and Director II for Operations Dr. Tato Usman.

"The BHSs are funded under the Tiyakap Bangsamoro Kalusugan Program (TBKP) 2021 Projects, which will provide primary healthcare services with a focus on empowering individuals to take control of their own health by offering convenient and accessible health services at the barangay level," Abas said.

The Local Government Unit of Pikit North Cotabato, headed by Mayor Sumulong Sultan, expressed their commitment to consistently support the BARMM Government's initiatives for the welfare of its constituents.

Bai Lana Matalam, Barangay Captain of Batulawan also expressed her gratitude for being one of the fortunate communities to get a project that will significantly benefit the health of her community.

Parliament Member Kelly Antao said during his speech "This is one of the outcomes of the Bangsamoro's struggle to address everyone's health needs and prevent diseases that can be prevented. We are grateful to MOH for providing SGA with this opportunity."

In addition, Parliament Member Dr. Kadil Sinolinding expressed this through his chief of staff Atty. Zaidamin Bagundang that their office is prepared to support any initiative pertaining to population, health, and nutrition for the well-being of the Bangsamoro people, particularly those living in the Special Geographic Area.

"MOH is entrusted with providing health services in the Bangsamoro Region, which includes building such a facility through the HFDD where there are resources and healthcare professionals who may assist us with medical care in our Barangay," said Dr. Tato Usman, Director II, Operations Bureau.

The said inauguration and groundbreaking were attended by the Municipal and Barangay Local Government Unit, Rural Health Units, Barangay Health Workers, SGA-FHO staff, and Members of the Parliament staff.

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COTABATO CITY - The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) in Maguindanao opened its new building in pursuit of providing quality health services in the province.

The building houses its MPH New Auditorium, Doctors' Quarters, New dietary Building, and the 25-bed Covid Isolation Facility

The four facilities were inaugurated Friday, March 24, by IPHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) which funded and implemented the project, respectively.

"We are thankful that we were able to attain one of the things that we have long dreamed of, that is, having this health infrastructures," said IPHO PHO -II, Dr. Elizabeth Samama.

Samama said being able to provide its people with high quality, exceptional, and responsive health services in a suitable, highly functional, and resilient facility will help IPHO realize its aim of being a model health organization.

For that, she thanked the Bangsamoro government, especially its Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim for providing funds for the construction of the building.

Samama emphasized once more that the IPHO is focused on providing Universal Health Care for Bangsamoro through a responsive and resilient health system and facilities where they can provide the services. For them, the new health infrastructure is a legacy of the BARMM government.

The PHO II also conveyed her gratitude to the regional government for implementing the project.

"This building is a testament to the BARMM government and Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim’s genuine commitment to ensuring the delivery of accessible, available, and quality health services to the Bangsamoro and the commitment of the entire BARMM government to uplift the lives of our constituents in the entire Bangsamoro," Minister of Health Dr. Rizaldy Piang said.

"Health infrastructure is a vital requirement to health development as the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital is gearing towards health infrastructure development," Piang said.

The activity was attended by Director II for Operations Dr. Tato Usman, Director II for Public Health Dr. Ahmad Fawadz Israel, and other high officials.

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MOH Minister Dr. Rizaldy Piang, said the group belonged to the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital, Buluan District Hospital, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat District Hospital, and Iranun District Hospital health personnel.

During the ceremony, Rizaldy reminded the new employees of their pledge towards exemplifying moral governance in the service to the Bangsamoro community.

“I reminded them that we have to purify our intentions when we do our tasks and responsibilities in line with the mandates of the Bangsamoro Health ministry,” Piang said in an interview with reporters.

He said the new healthcare professionals, appointed to plantilla positions, went through a rigorous screening process conducted by the ministry’s Regional Human Resource Section which was based on the required qualifications, written and online examination, and interview.

“Human Resources is one of the most important investments for health,” Piang said.

"This provision is a big move to improve the health service delivery in Maguindano," Piang said.

Alongside the hiring and promotion processes in the regional office, the MOH also continuously conducts screening processes for other positions in the ministry, he added.

Furthermore, Minister of Health Dr. Rizaldy Piang, Director II for Public Health Dr. Fawadz Israel, Director II for Operations Dr. Tato Usman, and other key authorities also led several activities of the IPHO-Maguindanao.

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