BARMM acquires new ambulances for 2 island provinces

 Photo shows new ambulances turned over on March 25 and 26, 2021 to the island provinces of Sulu and Basilan through the initiative of the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM). 

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bangsamoro government is stepping up its efforts to improve the delivery of healthcare services through the acquisition of nine ambulance units for the island provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

On March 25 and 26, the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) turned over the emergency vehicles to the said provinces.

Dr. Amirel Usman, OIC health minister, said the units are relevant to the public’s medical needs especially that the region is still on fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

“Ito na ‘yung ginagawa natin sa ngayon — we are trying to be responsive to the needs of our constituents,” he said.

Each ambulance unit is supplied with vital emergency medical equipment such as oxygen cylinder, heavy duty stethoscope, folding stretcher, scoop stretcher, automatic external defibrillator, nebulizer, portable suction machine, examining light, and aneroid sphygmomanometer, among others.

Two units of ambulance were turned over to Sulu’s Provincial Hospital. Also, the rural health units (RHUs) of the municipalities of Panglima Estino, Luuk, Talipao, and Old Panamao received one ambulance each.

Panglima Estino Municipal Health Officer Dr. Sitti Badria Saji-in said the ambulance would increase mobilization and delivery of procured medicines.

“We procure medicines using our own utility vehicles. At times, we borrow from our local government unit,” she said.

She added that it will also benefit the Safe Motherhood Program where the transfer of pregnant women during problematic pregnancies will become more efficient.

“We experience hardship in referring them to a higher facility when they encounter problems in our health facility including uncontrolled blood pressure, bleeding, complicated delivery, and complicated pregnancy,” she said.

Sulu Provincial Medical Officer Fahra Tan-Omar also received one unit of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and stand, five units of cardiac monitor, one unit of laryngoscope, and a disinfection chamber for the provincial hospital.

Meanwhile, Basilan province received three units of ambulance for the RHUs of Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Akbar, and Tuburan, respectively.

Basilan Governor Jim Hataman and Provincial Medical Officer Harrybert Hadjala received the units in a ceremony held Friday, March 26, at the provincial capitol grounds in Isabela City.

On the same day, MOH-BARMM handed over 800 units of antigen kits to Basilan’s Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).

Lamitan District Hospital also received one unit of laryngoscope, three units of cardiac monitor, and one HEPA filter. (BANGSAMORO INFORMATION OFFICE / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)