PARANG, Maguindanao del Norte – In celebration of the this year’s National Hospital Week, the Iranun District Hospital (IDH) recognized Bangsamoro Government’s efforts in the reopening the hospital after a 20-year hiatus.
Since its establishment in November 2001, the IDH faced challenges, particularly insufficient funding, that led to a long hiatus in its operation. In March 2022, the regional government’s Ministry of Health (MOH), along with its partners, made the effort to have the hospital operational again.
“Matagal na hindi nakapaghatid ng serbisyo ang ospital simula nang ito ay maipatayo. Muli itong binuksan nung time ng Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), kaya talagang nagpapasalamat kami,” IDH Chief Dr. Harris Macapeges said Monday, August 14.
During its reopening in March 2022, the hospital received an initial Php10-million worth assistance from the Office of the Chief Minister’s Project AMBAG or the Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government. On April 7, 2022, IDH also received a fully-equipped ambulance from the MOH.
On July 27 this year, the hospital received a Php2-million worth of medical assistance from the regional government’s Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), through its Bangsamoro Critical Assistance for Indigents in Response to Emergency Situations or B-CARES program.
To date, IDH continues to uphold its commitment to delivering quality healthcare services and making an impact to the Iranun communities, with the support of the Bangsamoro Government. It caters to patients with mild to moderate illnesses and minor operations. With a 45-bed capacity, it has already served over 6,129 patients.
Macapeges voiced the positive influences of the hospital to the community, especially the changes it brought. “Mas napalapit ang serbisyong medikal sa ating mga kababayan. Madali na silang nakaka-avail nito, unlike dati na ilang oras ang iginugugol para lang madala ang pasyente sa pinakamalapit na hospital,” he said.
The unrelentless assistance of the Government of the Day to augment the provision of medical services in the region is in adherence to the Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim on social protection and universal healthcare, wherein improvement on equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare services is given utmost importance.
National Hospital Week is celebrated from August 6-12 of every year in pursuant to Proclamation No. 181, s. 1993. As IDH participated in the celebration for the first time, it has initiated health-awareness activities such as lectures on family planning and breastfeeding and bivalent vaccinations, anchored on the theme:
“Sulong Kalusugan: Ospital Maaasahan“. (Bai Omairah Yusop/BIO)
