Photo by Hamdan Badrudin
BULUAN, MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR— Aiming to strengthen the concept of a healthcare system that is in accordance with the principles of Islam, the Ministry of Health (MOH) through Buluan District Hospital (BDH) launched Monday, Feb. 20, the Ibadah-Friendly Hospital (IFH) program.
‘Ibadah’ is an Arabic word which means worship or obedience to Allah (SWT). According to MOH Muslim Religious Leaders Consultant Ustadz Saadawi Mamaluba, IFH is a process of Islamisation of health services, not only providing care for patients and helping them perform their Ibadah, but also in the management of the hospital.
To qualify as a certified IFH, a hospital must have a musallah (prayer room), Islamic signages, cadaver holding area, a halal kitchen, and must protect the privacy and modesty of women during childbirth, among others.
MOH Minister Dr. Rizaldy Piang, who is also the concurrent chief of hospital of BDH, emphasized that healthcare is one of the most important areas in public service, and BARMM, through the ministry, is responsible to establish a healthcare system that is anchored to moral governance and Islamic perspective.
Piang said they will advocate the IFH program not only to district hospitals but also down to Rural Health Units and birthing clinics.
“ ‘Yung gagawin natin, kasama ang lahat ng district hospital heads, tuloy-tuloy na adbokasiya para ma-adopt nila yung ganitong program,” he said, adding that MOH will support any other initiatives of the district hospitals.
At the moment, two hospital in BARMM are already implementing the IFH program, namely Maguindanao Provincial Hospital (MPH) and Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC).
CRMC Chairman of the Muslim Spiritual Care Committee Dr. Sherjan Kalim led the assessment and inspection of the Buluan District Hospital.
“Dalawa po ang target natin dito, ang improvement ng facilities at ang improvement ng ating pakikitungo sa ating mga pasyente,” he said, adding that the assessment will be followed by re-evaluation to monitor the progress of the program.
Maguindanao Integrated Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Elizabeth Samama, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Mohammad Ariff Baguindali, and other representatives from different district hospitals in Maguindanao were also present during Monday’s activity. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
