BOOSTER VACCINE. BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim gets his booster jab in public in this undated photo at his house in Maguindanao to convince other Bangsamoro people it is safe and effective. Dr. Elizabeth Samama, Maguindanao health chief, administered the shot. (Photo courtesy of IPHO-Maguindanao) COTABATO CITY - The vaccination hesitancy rate in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is diminishing as the vaccination campaign intensifies in all provinces and municipalities. "At least nagtulungan na iyong mga religious group, iyong mga leaders, political leaders para makumbinsi iyong mga tao. Saka naman kasi nakikita naman nila na wala namang negative effect iyong vaccine (The religious groups [and] political leaders are helping convince our constituents, and people see no negative effects of vaccines)," Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim told #LagingHandaPH program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) hosted by Undersecretary Rocky Ign
MEDICAL SUPPLIES. The island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi receive medical equipment and some PHP3.7 million worth of medicines from the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) on Saturday, February 12, 2022. Shown in the photo is one of the three sea ambulances MOH-BARMM distributed to the three provinces. (Photo courtesy of MOH-BARMM) ZAMBOANGA CITY - Six medical facilities in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) provinces have received six units of ambulances and some PHP3.7 million worth of medicines and other equipment from the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM). The six units of ambulance include three sea ambulances that were given to the rural health units (RHUs) in the island town of Siasi, Sulu; Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital in coastal Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; and, the district hospital of the island municipality of Languyan, also in Tawi-Taw
INOCULATED KIDS. Children aged 5-11 years old await their turn to be vaccinated at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center's launching of Bayanihan Bakunahan for pedia in Region 12 and the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao in Cotabato City on Monday (Feb. 7, 2022). Each child got a food pack (inset) after getting their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. (Photo courtesy of DXMS - Cotabato) COTABATO CITY - Health authorities in the Soccsksargen (Region 12) and the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) expressed hope Monday to reach their targets for pediatric inoculation with the help of parents. Dr. Aristides Concepcion-Tan, the Department of Health (DOH-12) regional director, said the role of parents in the health program of the government is crucial. "The vaccine is very safe for children aged 5-11 years old," Tan said. Also, a health official of the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) here said she believes the vaccination program for children is ensur
The BARMM Covid-19 bulletin update as of Feb. 4, 2022. COTABATO CITY - Health authorities in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have reported a continuous decline in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid 19) infections in the region. "We are happy about this development. We are looking forward to the continuous decline of the virus in the region," Dr. Bashary Latiph, Ministry of Health (MOH) - BARMM minister, said in a radio interview Saturday. Latiph said as of Friday, the MOH-BARMM recorded a total of 69 new cases in the region. Of this number, 35 are in Maguindanao, 22 in Cotabato City, seven in Lanao del Sur, and five in Basilan. The island provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi both recorded zero Covid-19 cases on the same day. "The Covid-19 figure of 69 news cases in the region on Friday is way much lower than 147 cases recorded a day earlier," Latiph said. Meanwhile, Dr. Ameril Usman, MOH-BARMM director-general, said those who had been infected
SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACES. BARMM Health Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph (3rd from left) poses with the awardees during the Ministry of Health Red Orchid Awards 2021 awarding ceremonies held in Cotabato City on Monday (Jan. 31, 2022). The award is given to local government units, government offices, hospitals, and jail facilities for implementing 100 percent tobacco-free workplaces and environments in the region. (Photo courtesy of MOH-BARMM) COTABATO CITY - The health minister of the Autonomous Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has expressed confidence more institutions will fully implement tobacco-free workplaces and environment programs this year. This came about after the Ministry of Health (MOH) - BARMM has awarded Monday institutions and government offices in the region with "Red Orchid Awards" for effectively enforcing tobacco control measures in its facilities in 2021. "BARMM institutions that fully implement the anti-tobacco program this year will be also be d