COTABATO CITY—Thirty-five (35) units of biological safety refrigerator for safer cold chain management, intended for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines, were turned over to Bangsamoro region’s health ministry (MOH) on Thursday.
The cold storage units were donated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and was funded by the Government of New Zealand.
This is under the IOM’s three-pronged program: the “Prepare, Prevent, Protect” approach, with the goal of mitigating the negative impact of Covid-19 on already vulnerable displaced communities in Mindanao.
“This equipment will not go squander and it will be utilized with great care. We have been at a challenge of implementing the vaccination plan of the region, and now part of our constraint has been set into loose and we can now refocus on other parts of our plan,” OIC health minister Dr. Amirel Usman said.
Dr. Usman and Chief of Mission of IOM Philippines Kristin signed the documents for donation of acceptance.
“I would like to refer my commitment to the BARMM government to support you in this transition, and to support you in the realization of providing universal health care to all Bangsamoro, incuding the most vulnerable sector,” Dadey said.
Furthermore, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell also expressed commitment to support the peace process in Mindanao.
BARMM Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua and Head of IOM Mindanao Sub-office Hwahyun Kim were also present to witness the turnoever ceremony.
Meanwhile, in a video message, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim expressed gratitude to the donors.
“The Bangsamoro Government is grateful for the unwavering support of IOM Philippines and Government of New Zealand and other international partners.Today, we continue building that bridge of compassion, intercultural learning, and shared purpose of making the lives of those in need easier,” Ebrahim said.
The first batch of covid-19 medical equipment and vehicle were delivered by IOM and German Government to MOH last January 20. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
