BARMM Ministry of Health Strengthens Ties with Relief International, DOH Epidemiology Department
COTABATO CITY (June 20, 2024) – The Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has expressed enthusiastic support for future collaborations with Relief International and the Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Department.
Minister of Health Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr. emphasized the importance of embracing the support from external partners, suggesting that the Ministry should strategically utilize these resources to enhance the region’s healthcare services.
Dr. Sinolinding underscored the significance of this support, noting that turning away or complicating potential collaborations would be detrimental. He stressed the necessity of a strategic approach in resource allocation to maximize the benefits of these partnerships.
“We are so lucky that we are receiving this kind of support. We cannot afford to miss that, and we must work strategically to determine how to allocate these resources,” Dr. Sinolinding remarked, extending his gratitude to the representatives from Relief International and the Department of Health Epidemiology Department.
In 2023, vaccination coverage in BARMM was significantly below the desired level, with only 60% of eligible children receiving their first dose of the measles vaccine and just 51% completing the second dose.
Recently, Minister Sinolinding shared that DOH Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa commended BARMM for improving these figures, with 88% of eligible children receiving their vaccinations this year. However, the Minister acknowledged that more efforts are required to meet the target.
The Health Minister emphasized that while the progress is commendable, it is not sufficient. The target is to vaccinate 95% of the region’s eligible children. “We want to reach 95%,” he stated, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to achieving this goal.
UNICEF has highlighted the necessity for the Philippines to achieve a 95% vaccination rate with two doses of the measles vaccine at 9 and 12 months of age to protect against measles outbreaks. According to UNICEF, failing to meet this target leaves many children vulnerable to measles, leading to protracted community transmission and periodic outbreaks. (Hasna U. Bacol, BMN/BangsamoroToday)
