IOM Head of Sub-Office in Mindanao Hwahyun Kim (left) and newly installed Minister for Health Dr. Bashary Latiph discuss how the new project will help boost BARMM’s current Covid-19 response.
COTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro Government’s efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is getting a support from the Japanese Government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through a project that will boost the region’s prevention and control capacity and resources.
Newly installed Minister for Health Dr. Bashary Latiph said the project will considerably help the region’s fight against the pandemic as the ministry has devoted its resources, both manpower and funds, to end the spread of the virus.
“Through the Ministry of Health (MOH), we put the containment, prevention, and eradication of Covid-19 as our highest priority,” Dr. Latiph added.
He also noted the regional government needs the support from development partners and allies in order to help end the pandemic.
IOM Head of Sub-Office in Mindanao Hwahyun Kim said the project, dubbed ‘Strengthening BARMM’s Preparedness and Response Capacity for Effective Covid-19 Prevention and Control’ has a total budget of 2.72 million dollars and will run for 12 months.
The project will cover the provinces of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that include Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, and some communities in Zamboanga.
Kim added the project aims to create BARMM’s infection prevention and control system safer and more efficient in responding to Covid-19, and to help local government units be more prepared in managing and responding to health emergencies.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim said the regional government is grateful for the support it received from development partners “during one of the most difficult periods in recent history.”
“Our shared fight against the coronavirus is far from over. The project today will help us ease the path and address the effects of coronavirus,” Ebrahim stressed. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
