THE Ministry of Social Service Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-Barmm) released P21 million to seven branches of Mercury Drug Pharmacy to efficiently provide medical services for indigent patients in the region.
The awarding of the cheque was held at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex that houses the Barmm Government Center in Cotabato City on Monday, January 23, during the celebration of the 4th foundation anniversary of the autonomous region.
The seven branches of Mercury Drug Pharmacy that received funds from Barmminclude those in Cotabato City–Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato-Magallanes, Tacurong- Alunan, Iligan-Tubod, Zamboanga-Veterans, Midsayap- National Highway, and Kabacan-National Highway.
Lawyer Raissa Jajurie, MSSD-Barmm minister, said the amount seeks to enhance the delivery of MSSD’s Bangsamoro Critical Assistance for Indigents in Response to Emergency Situations (B-Cares) Program for indigent patients to immediately receive the medicines they urgently need.
"A patient or their representative shall undergo assessment and interview with the ministry's social workers. Once deemed qualified, a guaranty letter will be issued. They can proceed to Mercury Drug to get the medicine," Jajurie said.
The patients seeking assistance may go to MSSD’s office and present the prescription of the medicines, which includes the date of issuance of the prescription, complete name, and the PRC license number and signature of the attending physician.
“Sa pamamagitan nito'y hindi na mahihirapan ang mga indigent, since hindi ito katulad ng cash assistance na napakadami pang proseso bago maibigay sakanila. Napakaswerte ng Bangsamoro dahil walang ganitong programa noon,” Jajurie added.
(Through this, the indigent will no longer be in trouble since it is not the same as cash assistance, which has many processes before it is given to them. The Bangsamoro is very lucky because there was no such program before.)
Mercury Branch Manager Daniel Ulep extended gratitude to the people behind the success of this effort while stressing that the Barmm Government wants nothing more than to provide the right and adequate services for poverty-stricken groups.
"Sana po ay tangkilikin niyo ang services ng Barmm dahil wala pong ibang hinangad ang government nito kundi ibigay ang nararapat at tamang services para sa tao. Sana ay magpatuloy ang ganitong programa para naman ang lahat ng tao sa Barmm area ay maka-avail ng programs,” Ulep said.
(I hope you will enjoy the services of Barmm because the government wants nothing more than to provide the right and proper services for the people. I hope this program continues so that all people in the Barmm area can avail of the programs.)
(SunStar Zamboanga)