Health Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding with Philippine Information Agency (PIA) host Shahana Joy Duerme-Mangasar during the 1st BARMM’s Episode of “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” on July 2, 2024. (Hamdan Badrudin/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Health (MOH) highlighted its significant accomplishments during the first episode of “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” program on July 2, 2024.
Showcasing the ministry’s programs, services, projects, policies, and priority thrusts, the program is made possible with collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency Region XII and the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO).
MOH Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding highlighted the directive of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim that no one in the Bangsamoro will be left behind in terms of healthcare access.
“With our collective efforts and support from the national government, you can see evidence of profound achievements in the ministry since its inception,” Sinolinding said.
From 2019 to 2024, the health ministry focused on improving healthcare access for residents in the region through initiatives such as addressing workforce shortages, upgrading healthcare facilities, and enhancing services in underserved areas.
Key accomplishments include:
– Upgrading and standardizing health facilities: 7 hospitals fully staffed, 27 hospitals renovated, 29 Rural Health Units (RHUs) constructed, 131 RHUs upgraded and equipped, 316 Barangay Health Stations (BHSs) constructed, 401 BHSs equipped, 3 Super Health Stations, and 2 drug rehabilitation centers in Maguindanao and Sulu provinces.
– Enhancing healthcare access with 212 vehicles provided across BARMM, including 155 land ambulances, 21 sea medical ambulances, 23 cadaver transport vehicles, 8 mobile clinics, and 5 monitoring vans.
– The Bangsamoro Surgical and Medical Outreach Program: 2,513 medical consultations, 3,507 circumcisions, 34 major and 83 minor operations, 266 eye surgeries, 295 eye check-ups, 243 wheelchairs, 50 canes, and 25 crutches provided.
– Financial support for healthcare operations: Php78,600,000.00 for RHUs and Php121,440,000.00 for BHSs, along with the initiation of an Oxygen-Generating Plant at Wao District Hospital producing 10-15 tanks per day and serving five areas.
Dr. Sinolinding noted a decrease in the number of medical professionals going abroad, attributing this to the ministry’s policy of providing competitive care for the workforce.
“Our ministry is dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of every Bangsamoro individual and community in the region,” he added.
He also acknowledged the contributions of various support programs and agencies, including the Malasakit Center, Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) for health, Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSS), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Ayudang Medical para sa Bangsamoro (AMBag), which have enabled many patients to receive free healthcare services.
“Many of our patients appear to be cured and do not have to pay anything, not even a single centavo,” he emphasized. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
