THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's Inter-Agency Task Force (Barmm-IATF) on coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has turned over the first set to medical supplies and equipment to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City.

Mohammad Asnin Pendatun, Barmm-IATF spokesperson and Cabinet secretary, who led the turnover Wednesday, March 25, said the supplies and equipment are just the initial support of Barmm to identified referral hospitals for Covid-19 patients in the region.

"We are prioritizing hospitals identified by the Ministry of Health (MOH-Barmm) as referral hospitals for Covid-19 patients," Pendatun said.

Turned over to the CRMC were a set of misting tent used for disinfecting patients and health workers, disposable and reusable Hazmats or Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), surgical and N95 masks, examination and surgical gloves, face shields, alcohol and other disinfectants.

Dr. Helen Yambao, CRMC chief of hospital, said the medical supplies and equipment are a big help for them, since they already are running out of supplies, especially PPEs, for physicians and nurses attending to patients under investigation for Covid-19.

"The help from Barmm is a blessing since our supplies are already dwindling. There's nothing to buy, we have supplies from Davao but until now these are still with the customs," Yambao said.

She said the misting tent, which they do not have before, is useful to disinfect everyone who are coming to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Pendatun said that more medical supplies and equipment are expected to arrive this week.

He said these will be distributed to other priority referral hospitals in the Barmm, including the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital, Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Lanao del Sur, Basilan General Hospital, Sulu Provincial Hospital, and the Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital in Tawi-Tawi. (SunStar Zamboanga)