THE Ministry of Health in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-Barmm) turned over Thursday, July 15, more than P60 million worth of health facilities and equipment to the Lamitan District Hospital in Lamitan City, Basilan.
Dr. Bashary Latiph, MOH minister, said these include a land ambulance worth P2.5 million; two sea ambulances, P6 million; 25-bed capacity Lamitan District Hospital building, P30 million; and 120-bed capacity coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) facility, P25 million.
Some P1.3 million health kits were also distributed to 380 Barangay Health Workers (BHW). Each BHW kit consists of a laptop, tablet, medical tools, and medicines for first aid.
Latiph said the sea and land ambulances were acquired through the funds under the Bangsamoro Transition Authority's (BTA) Transition Development Impact Funds (TDIF) project.
The construction of 25-bed capacity building in Lamitan District Hospital was funded through the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP) of 2017 (P10 million) and the remaining P20 million from HFEP of 2018, while the 120-bed capacity Covid-19 isolation facility by the Ministry of Public Works.
Latiph said the facilities were accepted by Basilan Governor Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman, Vice Governor Yusop Alano, Dr. Jackie Lou Eisma-Castillo, and Dr. Romeo Macainag Jr., Lamitan District Hospital chief and administrative officer, respectively.
Latiph said the health ministry is in its full force to address the needs for quality health care services in the region, especially in this time of pandemic. (SunStar Zamboanga)