COTABATO CITY - The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will benefit from P157 million worth of health projects that a number of legislators from the regional parliament funded.

Land ambulances, a mobile clinic, incentives for barangay health workers (BHW), essential medicines, Covid-19 testing kits, and a barangay health station were among the initiatives supported by the 2021 Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) of former and current members of the parliament (MP).

Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas, the deputy minister of health, commended the lawmakers for dedicating their projects to enhancing the healthcare system.

“This is the response of the members of the parliament to the health needs of the Bangsamoro constituents,” Abas said citing that the regional government “need to invest more in health”.

11 ambulances in all, which will be used by their respective recipients, were on display inside the government center during the turn-over ceremony that was placed in this city on March 3. Meanwhile, six more ambulances were previously sent to the province of Basilan last week.

All of these initiatives are a part of the Government of the Day's coordinated effort to meet the health needs of the Bangsamoro, according to Health Minister Dr. Rizaldy Piang's statement.

“This the sign that our government is responsive to the needs of our community,” Piang said.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the provision of the land ambulances was signed under the direction of Piang and BARMM Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua.

MOH routinely included the parliament in different health projects to ensure that the health services they are offering are complimented.

One of the beneficiaries, Yasser Maguid, a Public Health Nurse of Datu Montawal Maguindanao, happily shared that this has a huge impact on them providing a quality health service to their community since these ambulances are already modernized. He also prays that MOH-BARMM would be able to help more rural areas in the future.

In no particular order, the MPs were Khadafeh Mangudadatu, Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, Faiz Alauddin, Lanang Ali Jr., Abdullah Hashim, Abdulrauf Macacua, Abdulmuhmin Mujahid, Ali Sangki, Aida Silongan, Paisalin Tago, Nabil Tan, Akmad Abas, Haron Abas, Narciso Ekey, Muslima Asmawil, Musa Diamla, Mudjib Abu, Susana Anayatin, Mohammad Zainoden Bato, Diamila Disimban-Ramos, Abduladzis Al-haj Esmael, Mussolini Lidasan, Sittie Shahara Mastura, Maestro Celes Salik, Sahie Udjah, Melanio Ulama, Hatimil Hassan, Rasul Ismael, Muslimin Jakilan, and Ziaur-Rahman Adiong.

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The turnover of six land ambulances was sponsored by former BTA members of the Parliament, Hon. Faiz Alauddin, and Hon. Abdulmuhmin Mujahid under the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) 2021.

The facility and ambulances will be crucial and conducive to serving the Bangsamoro people in BARMM, especially in BaSulTa. The ambulance will serve as means of transporting patients, medical supplies, and equipment.

To further improve the service delivery of the MOH-BARMM, Dr. Abdulhalik Kasim, Assistant Secretary for Health states " We want to strengthen the collaboration and cooperation with Provincial Health Office led by the LGU,"

"We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the BARMM government, para sa mga services, programs, and projects na inilaan sa island provinces. This inauguration and turnover will be a history and legacy of MOH-BARMM," Kasim said.

Additionally, Dr. Rizaldy Piang said, "itong inaugaration na ito ay sinyales ng commitment ng MOH-BARMM to improve the health delivery services sa mga provinces. Sana makarating ito, to each and every Bangsamoro na tayo ay committed na ma-prioritize ang mga services ng island provinces kung mayroon mang prioritization sa mga activities and support.

Dr. Ahmad-Fawadz Israel, Director II for Public Health, assured us that we will do our best in order for us to improve our services and deliverables sa mga Bangsamoro people.

Apart from the ceremonial turnover and inauguration, Minister Rizaldy Piang, together with MOH-BARMM directors, and health officials of Basilan signed the Memorandum of Understanding.

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ZAMBOANGA CITY - In order to provide a quality health care services in the island provinces of BARMM, the Ministry of Health-BARMM inaugurates a ceremonial turnover of the satellite office here on Monday February 27, 2023.

The sub office will serve as the logistic office that will transfer medical equipment, medical supplies, and other medical needs in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Dr. Abdulhalik Kasim, MOH Assistant Secretary for Health envisioned that it was just a dream having this satellite office. "Asahan po ninyo na ang serbisyo ng BARMM ay magiging efficient at mabilis papunta sa mga island provinces".

MOH-BARMM Minister Rizaldy Piang states that this is a sign that they care for the Bangsamoro from the island provinces.

“it is also my dream to serve our countrymen from this provinces, to serve them better and make them the priority kasi matagal silang napag iwanan,” Piang said.

“We are going to address their needs. To my MOH workmate, keep up the work may Allah bless everyone in serving the Bangsamoro,” Piang said.

The inauguration were also witnessed by Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe, Dr. Joshua Brilliantes, DOH Regional Director, Dr. Afdal Kunting, Medical Chief, Zamboanga City Medical Center, Dr. Omar Aranan, Head- Bureau of Quarantine Region IX.

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