THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officially launched Thursday, May 28, the first isolation and treatment facility for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients in Sultan Kudarat,
Maguindanao.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, who led the launching, said the 1000-square-meter facility offers 100 beds.
The center, which was built for P21 million, was completed in 40 days and turned over to the management of Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital (CSH). Operations will start in two weeks.
“As a result of our resolve to combat this disease, here we are today, fulfilling another phase in this battle,” Murad said.
“The BARMM-IATF made sure that basic services were delivered, preventive measures were in place and most importantly, sustainable efforts were made to assure that we can figuratively and literally isolate Covid-19,” he added.
BARMM Minister of Health Safrullah Dipatuan said the facility meets the minimum standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for a Covid-19 isolation facility.
“This Covid-19 isolation center becomes very vital, without this, our task to contain this virus is too difficult if not completely impossible,” Dipatuan said.
Minister of Public Works Eduard Guerra said they had to overcome challenges due to quarantine restrictions.
“Normally when we say isolation facility, it’s temporary, but we made it permanent, so the hospital can use it as an expansion if the pandemic ends In Shaa Allah,” Guerra said.
CSH chief Ibrahim Pangato said the facility is a big help in containing Covid-19 and will not only benefit the people of Maguindanao but also nearby provinces.
A similar isolation center is under construction in the municipality of Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao. (SunStar Zamboanga)