COTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has recorded 93,874 residents vaccinated on the first day of the national ‘Bayanihan, Bakunahan’ massive vaccination drive against Covid-19 on Nov. 29
Data from the Ministry of Health (MOH) showed that of the total administered vaccines for day one, 10,812 were from Maguindanao, 54,639 from Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, 5,193 from Basilan and Lamitan City, 15,027 from Sulu, and 8,203 from Tawi-Tawi.
Three hundred forty (340) vax hubs were set up across BARMM for the 3-day national vaccination campaign.
“Natutuwa ako sa turn-out ng vaccination activity natin ngayon at nakikita natin na maraming dumalo sa ating pagbabakuna. Itong pagbabakuna ay all population na kasama na diyan ang 12-17 years old, if this stage will go on in 3 days then we will reach our target,” said MOH Director General Dr. Amirel Usman.
“Nanawagan tayo sa ating kapwa Bangsamoro na magpabakuna na. Ang pagbabakuna ay lagi naming sinasabi na ligtas at libre po ito. Kasi darating ang panahon eventually this will be needed at para sa kaligtasan ng ating pamilya at komunidad,” Usman added.
Meanwhile, delegates from the United Nations (UN) were also present at the Bangsamoro Government Center in this city on Monday to show support to the vaccination campaign in the BARMM.
“Vaccinating is more than just getting the shot…this is not just a protection for you but for your communities. We need to be vaccinated,” said Gustavo Gonzalez, UN resident coordinator in the Philippines.
Together with Gustavo were Mindanao Field Office Chief Andrew Morris of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Country Representative in the Philippines Dr. Leila Joudane of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Country Manager Oscar Marenco of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Head in Mindanao Melindi Malang of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), and Matthew Bidder from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The MOH recently received $500,000 support from the UNICEF to augment the operational costs of Covid-19 vaccination coverage in the BARMM.
“You have been a valuable ally in the Ministry’s efforts to contain the pandemic and increase vaccination coverage,” said Dr. Usmain, thanking UNICEF for the timely assistance. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
