Indigent patients at the Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital (DHSMH) in Tawi-Tawi can avail themselves of several medical assistance provided by the Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministries of Health (MOH) and Social Services and Development (MSSD) and the Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government or the AMBaG Program of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (Laila Aripin/BIO)
BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – The Bangsamoro Government has been making significant strides to provide quality healthcare services to the residents of Tawi-Tawi.
Through the Ministries of Health (MOH) and Social Services and Development (MSSD) and the Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government or the AMBaG Program of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, the regional government aims to ensure that medical assistance is readily accessible to the needy Tawi-Tawians.
Since its inception in 2019, the AMBaG Program has emerged as a beacon of hope for medically and financially deprived individuals in Tawi-Tawi. To date, it has served over 1,800 inpatients and outpatients at the Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital (DHSMH).
Just last September 15, AMBaG allocated a replenishment fund of P10-million to DHSMH, marking the continuation of the program.
On the other hand, MSSD’s Bangsamoro Critical Assistant for Indigent in Response to Emergency Situation (BCARES) extends a helping hand in various forms –including medical, burial, transportation, food, and cash assistance– to indigent, vulnerable, disadvantaged, and crisis-stricken individuals and families.
For 2023, BCARES has allotted P5-million for inpatient confinement at the hospital. BCARES have their own space in DHSMH where dedicated medical social workers from MSSD assesses the needs of patients.
Meanwhile, MOH also contributes to the cause through its Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients Program (MAIPP), also known as Malasakit Program, which has been in operation since 2019.
MAIPP partnered with DHSMH to provide essential medical services to the people of Tawi-Tawi. It caters not only to the indigent population but also to the working poor and marginalized communities. For 2023 alone, MAIPP has assisted 6,942 patients.
The people of Tawi-Tawi are fortunate to have easy access to quality healthcare services through the BARMM government’s collaborative efforts.
DHSMH Medical Social Services Head Mussah Idjirani expressed her appreciation for the unwavering support provided by the BARMM Government.
“Actually our budget was exhausted last June 2023, pero alam namin mayroon pa darating kaya ang services continued. Alam namin anjan naman ang support ng MOH, waiting sa replenishment ng AMBaG pati BCARES. What is good, kahit yung mga Badjao nag papa-admit narin kasi alam nila free lahat,” Idjirani shared.
[We knew that more support was on its way. We knew that MOH will support us and we are waiting for the replenishment of AMBaG and BCARES. What is good is that even the Badjao community is now seeking hospital care because they know it’s all free.]
One of AMBaG beneficiaries, Ludigano Dela Cruz, aged 72, shared that: “Nung gabing nahilo ako sabi ko sa anak ko dalhin na ako hospital. Wala kaming pera, sabi ko sandah ka sing-sing bukas. Pero nagulat ako next morning pag sabi ng anak ko wala kami bayaran sa hospital. Free lahat!”
[When I felt dizzy one night, I told my kid to take me to the hospital. We had no money, so I said we will pawn a ring the next day. But to my surprise, my kid told me that we didn’t have to pay anything at the hospital. Everything was free!]
Dela Cruz went on to express his gratitude, saying: “Marayaw talaga in BARMM. Salamat naka-isip sila ng ganitong makatulong sa mahirap. Maganda ito pag malaman ng lahat para hindi na sila matakot mag pa-ospital.”
[BARMM is truly wondeful. Thanks to them for having this initiative to help the poor. It’s good for everyone to know so they won’t be afraid to go to the hospital.]
With the BARMM government’s financial assistance programs making healthcare accessible and affordable, the people of Tawi-Tawi are now more confident than ever in seeking medical attention. (Laila Aripin/BIO)
