Cotabato City (April 7, 2020)— Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is one with the world in celebrating this year’s World Health Day today, April 7, 2020.
The Bangsamoro Government recognizes the exemplary work of nurses and midwives all over the globe and the critical role they play in keeping the world safe and healthy.
With the current COVID-19 global crisis, nurses, midwives, and other health workers in the Bangsamoro region are in the frontlines in responding and containing the spread of the said virus.
“They face the frontline with dedication and courage even if they also have their own fears and anxiety in their hearts,” said Minister Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan of the Minstry of Health – BARMM.
Dipatuan said without the health workers, “there would be a pandemonium on the management of this global crisis.”
“To our nurses and midwives, our endless thanks and gratitude for your continued services to our people,” he said. “I offer you my snappy salute. Happy international nurses and midwives day!”
To ensure that the health workers in the region are equipped in battling COVID-19, the Bangsamoro Government has augmented their medical supplies and equipment.
“We are one of the regions in Mindanao who were early to procure and give augmentation doon sa ating mga medical equipment and supplies,” said Bangsamoro Government Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Asnin Pendatun.
Personal Protective Equipment, surgical masks, face shields, isolation gowns, isopropyl alcohol, disinfection solution, thermal scanners, assorted medicines, and other supplies have been initially turned over to three COVID-19 referral hospitals in the Bangsamoro region.
“You [health workers] are our everyday heroes in this fight against COVID-19,” Pendatun said.
“We cannot thank you enough for your sacrifices and services. We, at the Office of the Chief Minister, are here to provide you the necessary support. Rest assured that we will continue to do so,” he added.
Other regions in the country have reported discrimination and harassment towards health workers due to COVID-19. Should it happen in the Bangsamoro region, Pendatun said “the Bangsamoro Government will not take it lightly.”
“We will enforce rule of law, making sure that kayo ho ay ma-protektahan,” said Pendatun.
Furthermore, Pendatun said the Bangsamoro Inter-Agency task Force on COVID-19 is currently in talks on granting hazard pay to healthcare and other frontline workers.
For midwife Nuriel Haron from the MOH, celebrating World Health Day is important, “dahil kahit isang araw lang ay napapansin yung efforts naming bilang isang midwife o nurse. Isa rin po kami sa libo-libong nagsisilbi at nagbibigay serbisyo sa sambayanan araw-araw.”
Haron, who is in public health service for 8 years, thanked the Bangsamoro Government for its assistance to the healthcare workers.
“Pinapasalamatan po namin ang Bangsamoro Government, ang ating Chief MInister Ahod Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, at ang amin pong walang kapagurang Health Minister Dr. Dipatuan,” she said. (Bureau of Public Information)
