THE Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-Barmm) has donated some 200 oxygen tanks with regulators to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC) as part of the agency’s efforts to help the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) referral hospital.

Dr. Bashary Latiph, minister of MOH-Barmm, and Dr. Amirel Usman, MOH-Barmm director-general, led the turnover of the oxygen tanks with regulators to Dr. Ishmael Dimaren in a simple ceremony Thursday, September 16.

Latiph said the leadership of Barmm closely monitors referral hospitals to augment their needs, especially in the fight against Covid-19.

“The Barmm government is ready to help to the needs of our regional and Covid-19 referral hospitals,” Latiph said.

Dimaren said the donation is a helpful gesture from the regional government and looks forward to more collaboration and cooperation.

“This donation is very timely since we experience a shortage in oxygen supply,” Dimaren said.

Earlier, the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) in Lanao del Sur also received 200 oxygen tanks to augment the hospital’s shortage in supply due to the surge of Covid-19 patients.

Both CRMC in Cotabato City and APMC in Marawi City cater to patients from the Barmm and neighboring towns and cities in Soccksargen, Zambonaga Peninsula and Davao Region. (SunStar Zamboanga)