Newly installed Bangsamoro Health Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, Jr. spearheads the workshop on the finalization of the 7-Health Priority Areas module with Muslim Religious Leaders on May 28-30, 2024 in Davao City. (Abusayeed Simpal/BIO)
DAVAO CITY—Ministry of Health (MOH) is finalizing the ‘Seven Priority Areas’ health module, specially crafted with Islamic perspectives to strengthen health education in the Bangsamoro region.
The Ministry held a series of writeshops, including the three-day activity from May 28 to 30, to finalize the module using verses from the Qur’an and the Hadeeth as a guide.
After refining the content and printing copies, the module is scheduled for its official launch in August this year in the different Bangsamoro areas.
In continuous collaboration with Muslim Religious Leaders (MRLs), including the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta (BDI), Committee on Da’wah wa Masajid Affairs, Lajnatul Tarbiya Wa Ta’leem, and Hay-ato Ulama El-Muslimina Bil-Filibbin, the event aimed to finalize a module for health promotion materials, education, and communication for the Seven Priority Areas outlined by the Department of Health (DOH).
The identified areas include Diet and Exercise; Environmental Health; Immunization; Substance Use; Mental Health; Sexual and Reproductive Health; and Violence and Injury Prevention.
Newly installed Health Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding expressed gratitude for the partnership with MRLs in developing the health module.
He underscored the importance of mobilizing Islamic scholars as key actors in influencing the Bangsamoro people.
“This is a great privilege for the MOH to partner with the religious sectors in promoting a healthy lifestyle among the Bangsamoro,” he added, citing the module’s importance and potential positive impact on the Bangsamoro people.
MOH Health and Promotion Officer (HEPO) Saida Ali mentioned that implementation of the DOH 7-priority areas should be unique, leveraging the mobilization of MRLs across the region.
“MRLs, aside from being trusted community figures, include scholars in remote communities. We will use that network to disseminate these 7-health priority programs in their respective areas, from mainland BARMM to the island provinces,” Ali said.
During the write shop, the health priority areas were presented and critiqued to align with selected verses from the Qur’an and the Hadeeth.
Meanwhile, Islamic scholars, who participated in the said activity, expressed their commitment in working with the Ministry to complete the modules.
“Rest assured, I will do my best to support to the MOH programs, not only in crafting this module but also during the rollout in grassroots communities, In Shaa Allah,” Ustadz Amerudin Batua of Hay-ato Ulama El-Muslimina Bil-Filibbin expressed. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO) yun
