Ministry of Health (MOH) collaborates with the religious sector to bolster health literacy in grassroots communities of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the Jan. 4, 2024 meeting in Cotabato City. (Photo courtesy of MOH)
COTABATO CITY—Recognizing the significant role of religious institutions, the Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Health (MOH) convened a coordination meeting on Jan. 4, aimed at collaborating with religious agencies and committees to bolster health literacy in the region.
Accordingly, religious sectors in the Bangsamoro region, including the Da’wah Committee, Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, Hayyattul Ulama, Madaris, and Masjid, affairs play a crucial role in promoting health awareness and education of key areas in health programs in the grassroots communities.
MOH unveiled a progressive plan to utilize Masjids (mosques), Madaris, and tri-media platforms as settings for health education initiatives aimed not only at addressing immediate health concerns but also at laying the groundwork for sustainable and resilient health practices in the region.
Saida Ali, MOH Health Education Promotion Section Head, emphasized the vital role of the religious sector in attaining a wide-range impact of the ministry’s program on health concerns.
“The religious leaders at the community level are very influential. We are very optimistic that partnership and collaboration with them in health promotion would be crucial in achieving great impact and outcome,” she said.
Ustadj Marhan Borhan of Da’wah Affairs mentioned the significance of collaboration between the government and the religious sector particularly in implementing health programs and services in the region.
“This initiative will empower the religious sectors in dealing with health challenges from an Islamic perspective while learning and gaining its benefits in practicing it,” Borhan said.
“I am so grateful for this endeavor because this will foster better partnership and cooperation in promoting an inclusive healthy Bangsamoro for all,” said Ustadj Amerudin Sabdullah of the Hay-Atul Ulama and Shariah.
MOH outlined specific strategies to be implemented in partnership with religious committees, including the development of health-focused curriculum materials based on seven (7) healthy priority areas of the Department of Health, training sessions for religious leaders on health-related topics, and the incorporation of health awareness campaigns with Islamic perspectives during Friday prayers.
These methods determine the importance of grassroots engagement in shaping public health outcomes by uniting the strengths of healthcare professionals and Muslim religious leaders and creating a harmonious and well-informed community that prioritizes the health and well-being of its citizens.
The event was attended by representatives from the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO), Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC), and Bangsamoro Planning Development Authority (BPDA), which respectively underscored media promotion, strategic planning, and involvement of the youth sector in this health literacy initiatives. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
