COTABATO CITY—The Ministry of Health (MOH) donated 200 oxygen tanks with regulators to Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) as part of the ministry’s efforts to help Covid-19 referral hospitals.
MOH Dr. Bashary Latiph and Director General Dr. Amirel Usman led the turnover to CRMC Chief Dr. Ishmael Dimaren during a ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 16.
Dr. Latiph said the leadership of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) closely monitors referral hospitals in order to augment their needs, especially in the fight against Covid-19.
“Ang Bangsamoro Government ay nakahandang tumulong sa ano mang pangangailangan ng ating mga regional hospitals at Covid referral hospitals,” Dr. Latiph said.
For his part, Dr. Dimaren said the donation is a helpful gesture from the regional government and looks forward to more collaboration and cooperation.
“This donation is very timely since we experience a shortage in oxygen supply,” Dr. Dimaren said.
Earlier this week, the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) in Lanao del Sur also received 200 oxygen tanks to augment the hospital’s shortage in supply due to the surge of Covid patients.
Both CRMC in Cotabato City and APMC in Marawi City cater to patients from the BARMM and neighboring towns and cities in Soccksargen (Region 12), Zambonaga Peninsula (Region 9) and Davao Region (Region 10).
In June, the CRMC also received support that included 40 units of 50-pound oxygen tank with regulator, 20 units of 20-pound transport oxygen with regulator for ambulance, 3,000 pieces of oxygen nasal cannula, and 3,000 pieces of non-rebreather mask.
The Maguindanao Provincial Hospital in Shariff Aguak and Cotabato Sanitarium in Sultan Kudarat, have received similar medical equipment. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
