To improve the delivery of health services in health stations, the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) has provided PHP24.7 million worth of assistance to government hospitals in its island provinces.

In a statement Thursday, Dr. Abdulhalik Kasim, MOH-BARMM assistant health secretary, underscored the projects’ impact in delivering efficient and timely health services.

“The turnover emphasizes unity. The MOH cannot do all necessary processes to cater to everyone and create a sustainable health service except through a community approach where every stakeholder participates and supports the healthcare sector,” Kasim said.

The turnover, held in Zamboanga City on Wednesday afternoon, included seven state-of-the-art land ambulances and a patient transport vehicle to government hospitals in the region’s island provinces.

The health package also included essential medicines and licensure examination cash assistance worth PHP280,000 under the Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s (BTA) Development Impact Fund 2022-2023.

Several members of the BTA, the region’s provisional lawmaking body, witnessed the turnover ceremony.

Recipients of the health equipment, facilities, medicine and Tulong medical assistance worth PHP500,000 were the Parang District Hospital, Sulu Provincial Hospital and Maimbung District Hospital.

Meanwhile, the ambulances were distributed to the Integrated Provincial Health Office-Basilan, Luuk District Hospital, Lamitan District Hospital, Maluso Rural Health Unit (RHU) Sumisip District Hospital, Bongao RHU, Panamao District Hospital, and the Jolo RHU that received the patient transport vehicle.

In addition, six selected students were each granted cash assistance worth PHP30,000 for licensure examinations. (PNA)