By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) has broadened its healthcare network by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with 10 additional hospitals, recently.
Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., the BARMM Health Minister, said the partnership aims to address the medical needs of more disadvantaged Bangsamoro people both within and outside the region.
“This MOA enables a greater number of Bangsamoro individuals to access medical assistance through these new partner hospitals under the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program (MAIFFIP),” Sinolinding said.
The 10 newly partnered hospitals include St. Pius Hospital in Midsayap, North Cotabato; Kabacan Polymedic Cooperative Hospital in Kabacan, North Cotabato; Premier Medical Center Zamboanga in Zamboanga City; Hiraj Hospital in Marantao, Lanao del Sur; Mindalano Specialist Hospital Foundation, Inc. in Marawi City; Mindanao Doctors Hospital and Cancer Center in Kabacan, North Cotabato; Tacurong Doctors’ Hospital in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat; Sulaik Clinic and Hospital in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur; St. Elizabeth Hospital, Inc. in General Santos City; and Dr. Jose Ma. Torres Memorial Foundation Hospital in Lamitan City, Basilan.
“Our responsibility is to help ensure the health and well-being of the entire Bangsamoro population, including our brothers and sisters residing outside the region, and this partnership will extend essential hospital care to them,” he said.
The MAIFFIP program provides continuous medical support to eligible indigent and financially incapacitated patients. Sinolinding urged the partner hospitals to maintain open communication and promptly inform his office of their needs to facilitate efficient responses.
MOH-BARMM had established similar agreements with 30 other hospitals across the nation. (PNA)