Photo by Faisal Camsa Jr.
SULTAN MASTURA, Maguindanao Del Norte — More than 300 youths from this town availed themselves of the free medical services brought by the Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday, Aug. 17, in celebration of the Linggo ng Kabataan.
MOH targeted youths aged 10-19 years for the medical mission which seeks to provide medical attention to adolescents who lack the financial capacity for medical care.
The youths were provided with several services such as free medical consultation, laboratory tests, circumcision, haircut, pedicure and manicure, late registration of birth certificate, national identification card registration, and a photo booth to have their souvenir photos during the activity.
Medicines and hygiene kits –including alcohol, body soap, cotton buds, hair comb, tissue, toothbrush, toothpaste, face mask, nail clipper, and disposable shaver– were also given to them.
Aside from the medical mission, the MOH also conducted a health symposium explaining the adolescents’ roles and responsibilities, as well as the Islamic ruling on responsible parenting.
Also introduced to the youth and their parents was the OKY App, an application which allow young girls and women to monitor their menstruation and inform them on the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Related Rights.
Sultan Mastura Mayor Zulficar Panda expressed his gratitude to the regional government for having the activity conducted in their town.
“Malaking-malaking pasasalamat natin at utang na loob sa Bangsamoro Government. Mapalad tayo dito sa Sultan Mastura dahil tayo ang unang-una na naisip na bigyan o dito nila i-held yung ganitong klaseng programa,” Panda said.
Monaifa Sarip, a 13-year old student from the town’s national highschool, said that with the activity’s help, they no longer had to spend money to avail such medical services.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa Bangsamoro Government dahil bawas na po sa gastusin namin itong ginawa nila,” Sarip said.
Improvement of equitable access to quality and affordable health care services is among the 12-point priority agenda of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.
Baby Norbaina Caludtiag, MOH Population Division’s regional program coordinator, said that the local government units’ coordination is very important in conducting activities like the medical mission.
“Panawagan natin sa lahat ng LGUs na suportahan ang mga programa ng government lalo na ang Adolescent Health and Development Program,” she said. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
