PARANG, MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE—A healthcare facility in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) which has been on hiatus for two decades reemerged a vital health institution in the region.
On Monday, May 6, 2024, healthcare workers and community members of Iranun District Hospital in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte gathered for the celebration of the hospital’s two years in operation since its revival following almost 20 years of closure.
Chief of Hospital Dr. Harris Macapeges shared that since the hospital reopened its doors to the public in 2022, it has already made significant contributions to bringing affordable and quality health services primarily to indigent patients from the towns of Parang, Barira, Buldon, Matanog, Sultan Mastura, and other nearby municipalities.
With additional funding from different BARMM ministries, agencies, and offices, Macapeges said that they were able to offer quality services.
“We received additional funding for our operation and salaries of additional staff,” Macapeges shared.
He added that while the hospital was initially reopened to treat COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms, it slowly transitioned into an infirmary hospital that can treat mild to moderate illnesses and minor surgical operations.
“IDH is a 25-bed hospital but our actual number of patients admitted usually exceeds this figure,” Macapeges further shared.
Speaking in anonymity, a patient’s watcher currently admitted to the medical facility shared that they are very thankful for the reopening of the hospital.
“With the opening of IDH, we don’t have to travel to Cotabato City to seek medical treatment,” he said, adding that while the hospital is smaller than other health facilities in the region, it can deliver quality yet affordable medical services.
More support for the hospital operation
The hospital was first inaugurated in 2001 by the late Congressman Didagen Dilangalen but was forced to cease its operation due to lack of funding. Local leaders recognized this problem hence financial support continues to pour.
Parang town Mayor Cahar Ibay who graced the occasion publicly announced his financial commitment for the capital outlay expenditures of the hospital in 2025.
“I’ll give you an additional 500 thousand pesos for your capital outlay next year. That’s my commitment,” Ibay said.
Pendaliday Beda, Chairman of Barangay Poblacion 1, the hospital’s host community, also committed to helping in the proper collection and disposal of hospital garbage.
Aside from local leader’s support, the hospital also regularly received assistance from the regional government. Just last month, Member of the Parliament Atty Ubaida Pacasem turned over one million pesos in financial assistance to the hospital.
AMBaG (Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government), one of the flagship programs of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, and MOH’s Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP) continually provides medical assistance, particularly to the poorest of the poor patients. (Abdullah Matucan/BIO)
