THE Ministries of Health (MOH) and Social Services and Development (MSSD) distributed assistive mobility devices to over 300 indigent persons with disabilities (PWDs), marking the culmination of the 43rd National Disability and Rehabilitation Week in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).

Dr. Bashary Latiph, Barmm health minister, said the assistive devices include wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and canes.

The MSSD-Barmm distributed Thursday, August 5, 46 assistive devices to the PWDs in the municipalities of Pagalungan, Parang, and Matanog in Maguindanao.

Earlier, 243 PWDs from Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato received similar devices.

The MSSD-Barmm is also set to transport 650 assistive devices to the region's island provinces; 305 of which will be for Tawi-Tawi, 100 for Sulu, and 245 for Basilan.

Latiph said they handed over on Friday, August 6, similar assistive devices to 21 PWDs in Lanao del Sur.

He said it is part of the 217 devices and 70 packs hygiene kits the ministry turned over to the Lanao del Sur Provincial Health Office.

Latiph's office also allocated 79 wheelchairs and 98 assistive devices for Marawi City. The schedule for its turnover is still being finalized.

Latiph said the MOH alone has allocated 807 wheelchairs and 850 assistive devices for PWDs across Barmm for this year.

He said the distribution of assistive devices is a manifestation that Barmm, through the Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim and the MOH, care for the welfare of differently-abled persons in the region. (SunStar Zamboanga)