COTABATO CITY—The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) expanded its network in Pikit, Special Geographic Area (SGA) with the addition of new partner hospital.
MSSD and Director Isabelita Cruzado of Cruzado Medical Hospital signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 29, establishing a new partnership aimed at providing assistance to indigent and vulnerable patients in the SGA.
A fund of Php2,000,000.00 has been allocated in the said hospital to cater to patients in the area.
This partnership is under the Bangsamoro Critical Assistance for Indigents in Response to Emergency Situations (B-CARES) program, one of MSSD’s major initiatives to aid the Bangsamoro, focuses on providing support to individuals and families in the region experiencing crises.
B-CARES covers hospitalization expenses, medicines, and various medical treatments and procedures (including laboratory tests, CT scans, dialysis, MRIs, anti-retroviral therapy, and chemotherapy) for identified and eligible beneficiaries facing financial hardship.
MSSD SGA Coordinator Head Haron Amer expressed optimism about expanding services and forming more partnerships with different medical centers in the future.
“I’m very glad that we have an additional partner hospital in BARMM SGA this year. This only means that we will reach more indigent clients and help them in their hospitalization through the B-CARES Program,” Amer commented.
Furthermore, three partner hospitals in SGA—Community Health Service Cooperation Hospital (COHESCO), R.A.M Albutra General Hospital, and Deseret Surgimed Hospital—have renewed their partnerships with the ministry.
Each hospital has received a replenishment budget of Php2,000,000.00 for the current year.
“Ang usual na agreement natin sa mga partner hospitals ay isang taon pero in the course of the year kung naubusan ng pondo—ibig sabihin nagamit na iyong naibigay sa kanila upon liquidation—ay magre-replenish ulit tayo,” said Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
