DAVAO CITY – Since taking office on May 6, 2024 as the region’s new Health Minister, Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr. has focused on expanding healthcare access and addressing the pressing health needs of the Bangsamoro community.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have benefited from various medical assistance programs during the first 100 days of Sinolinding.
During his progress report held on Aug. 19, he highlighted the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) successful implementation of several key initiatives aimed at improving public health services.
Under Dr. Sinolinding’s leadership, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has not only focused on direct medical assistance but also accelerated efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure and workforce. This includes:
Medical Aid for Indigent Patients: One of the flagship programs, the Medical Assistance Indigency and Financial Assistance Program (MAIFIP), has already provided aid to 16,030 individuals in need of hospital assistance, totaling P70, 584,218 in funding. This initiative has been instrumental in alleviating the financial burden of healthcare for many families across the region.
“Our goal is to ensure that no Bangsamoro is left untreated or without access to necessary medical care,” Sinolinding stated.
Health Workforce Augmentation: The ministry addressed workforce gaps, fast-tracked contract renewals, and deployed personnel effectively.
Sinolinding noted, “We have 322 total enrolled scholars for the school year 2024 to 2025, with 142 studying medicine.”
Additionally, as part of the normalization project, 2,600 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants have been trained as Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), receiving monthly incentives and health kits.
Timely Benefits for Health Workers: Health Emergency Allowances were released, and HRH staff received their salaries on time, reflecting a commitment to supporting the frontline workforce.
Infrastructure Development: Significant investment was made in health infrastructure, with over P1.8 billion allocated from 2022 to 2024 for hospitals, rural health units, and barangay health stations.
The MOH also inaugurated the Special Geographic Areas (SGA) Field Office, laid the foundation for the BARMM Food and Drug Administration, and handed over 68 land ambulances, two mobile clinics, and two sea ambulances. A walk-in cold room was inaugurated on Aug. 6, 2024, to improve the storage of vaccines and medicines.
Programs for Remote Areas: Initiatives such as the Layag Bangsamoro Health Outreach Program in Mapun and the Nutrition Month launch in Sumisip, Basilan, along with participation in events like the Tawi-Tawi Serbisyo Fair, were implemented to reach underserved communities.
Strengthening Partnerships and Promoting Transparency
The ministry under Sinolinding’s leadership has strengthened partnerships with international development organizations, including International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aligning BARMM’s health initiatives with global standards.
These collaborations have been critical in bringing additional resources and expertise to the region.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the ministry adopted a ‘one-message, one-voice’ policy, which Sinolinding said would ensure “transparent and timely reporting of accomplishments,” and strengthen partnerships with the media.
“Our journey has not been easy, but together we have overcome and will continue to overcome the challenges in our office system and especially in meeting the health needs of our citizens,” Dr. Sinolinding remarked. He invited all Bangsamoro patients to access the free services offered by the MOH, emphasizing the instruction of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim: “No Bangsamoro shall be left behind untreated.”
The ministry plans to continue expanding its outreach programs, enhance health worker training, and further develop healthcare infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the Bangsamoro community.
Clear plans set
“Our vision is clear: to build a healthcare system that serves everyone equitably and effectively. We will continue working diligently to turn our plans into reality, from creating hospitals to enhancing nutrition and senior citizen welfare,” the Minister affirmed.
With a strong start and a commitment to providing accessible and quality healthcare, the first 100 days under Dr. Sinolinding’s leadership mark a significant step toward a healthier future for BARMM residents. (Kasan Usop Jr./BIO)
