THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (Barmm-READi) turned over Thursday, November 12, complete sets of mechanical ventilator machines to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) and the Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital (CSH).

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, head of Barmm-READi who led the turnover of the medical equipment, said the equipment were tested with high quality assurance under the United Nations (UN) procurement standards being facilitated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

"We are hoping that these machines will serve those who needed it most in our area and tune in our aim to donate health facilities that could be used even beyond Covid-19 pandemic," Sinarimbo said.

Dr. Helen Yambao, CRMC Medical Center chief, and Dr. Ibrahim Pangato Jr., CSH chief, personally received the mechanical ventilators from Sinarimbo.

"The donations are very helpful and timely, because it is not only the surge of Covid-19 patients from mild to moderate is increasing, but even the critical patients," Yambao said.

Aside from the ventilators, the Barmm-READi also donated one unit air purifier, five boxes of complete personal protective equipment (PPEs), two boxes of vitamin C and gloves to each of the two hospitals.

Meanwhile, other eight provincial hospitals, such as Datu Blah Sinsuat Hospital and Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) in Maguindanao, Montaner Hospital and Amay Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) in Lanao del Sur, Lamitan Hospital in Basilan, IPHO in Sulu, and Datu Hamid Hospital in Tawi-Tawi shall also receive similar medical equipment.

Dr. Amirel Usman, officer-in-charge of the Ministry of Health in Barmm, said they are continuously providing logistical support to combat Covid-19 pandemic and is hopeful that the strong partnership goes beyond even after the pandemic. (SunStar Zamboanga)