Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) lead the turnover ceremony of ambulance vehicles at the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) Grounds in Cotabato City on July 8, 2024. (Michael Camsa/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—In a steadfast commitment to ensure comprehensive healthcare for the Bangsamoro people, the Ministry of Health (MOH) pledged that “no one shall be left unattended.”
This was underscored during the turnover ceremony on July 8, where new land and sea ambulances, patient transport vehicles, mobile clinics, and medical assistance were provided to beneficiaries across the region.
MOH Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr. highlighted the government’s dedication to inclusive health services.
“Our ministry is listening to you, we heard you, we feel you, and we are responding to you. The Chief Minister said no one shall be left behind. I will add, on behalf of MOH, no one shall be left unattended,” Dr. Sinolinding said.
The total amount of P910 million was allocated for these health projects under the Transitional Development Impact Funds (TDIF) from 2020 to 2024.
The MOH and Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) entered into an agreement through signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) for the P217,356,560 million worth of essential healthcare resources, including 48 units of land ambulances, 2 units of sea ambulances, 2 units of mobile clinics, 8 units of patient transport vehicles, Barangay Health Workers (BHW) incentives, medical cash assistance, and essential medicines to various hospitals, local government units (LGUs), and rural health units (RHUs) in the Bangsamoro region.
“We will strive and try to fulfill our health duty, especially in the fields of treatment, diagnosis, and emergency situations,” Dr. Sinolinding added.
Dr. Sinolinding also noted the ongoing efforts to upgrade hospitals in the region, expressing optimism that they would soon achieve level 2 or even level 3 hospital status.
“This world-class service should not be alien to our Bangsamoro. We will try our best to bring this to your doorstep, so please join us in our journey towards more efficient and productive health services,” he said.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim also emphasized the impact of these initiatives.
“Since the establishment of BARMM, we can now feel the positive changes and impact of this accomplishment on our people. The TDIF is designed to give members of the parliament the opportunity to implement community development impact programs and projects,” Ebrahim said.
The Chief Minister extended gratitude to the former and current Members of Parliament who directed their TDIF towards the health sector, facilitating the procurement of patient transport vehicles, land and sea ambulances, and mobile clinics.
“These projects will ensure the efficient delivery of health care services and bring our government closer to the people,” Ebrahim added. (Majid Nur/BIO)
