COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Parliament, which continues to prioritize the health care needs of the Bangsamoro people, has pushed for more hospital buildings and upgrades.

“A recent visit by the members of the Parliament in various areas revealed the need for the public infrastructure that will serve its constituents. One of the recommendations was establishing a municipal hospital that will answer the medical needs of constituents,” Parliament member Atty. Maisara Damdamun-Latiph, proponent of two hospital bills, said.

Three hospital bills were discussed in the plenary, one of which aimed to upgrade a district hospital in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, with 100 bed-capacity, and the other two aimed to establish municipal and provincial hospitals in Lanao del Sur.

The Datu Odin Sinsuat District Hospital now has a bed limit of 50, but according to Latiph, this is no longer sufficient to accommodate the high influx of patients requiring health care.

She said that increasing the hospital’s capacity to 100 and adding medical staff will provide adequate health care to a more significant number of residents in the community.

Similarly, the establishment of municipal and provincial hospitals, both with 25 beds in LDS, aspires to serve the people with “highly accessible, affordable, comprehensive total health care services.”

Parliament Bill 126, a measure eyeing for improving the district medical facility in DOS, was introduced in the first reading by MPs Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas, Engr. Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, and Dr. Susana Anayatin.

While Parliament Bills 114 and 123, which seek to create hospitals in LDS, were tackled in the second reading.

Both were referred to committees on health and finance, budget, and management.

MPs Atty. Maisara Damdamun-Latiph and Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas principally authored the bills with MPs Ziaur-Rahman Adiong, Hadji Abduladzis Esmael, Faiz Allaudin, Don Mustapha Loong, Sultan Edrieza Rimbang, Muslima Asmawil, Dr. Susana Anayatin, Narciso Yu Ekey, Alzad Sattar, Mudjib Abu, Abdulmuhumin Hashim, Sittie Shahara Mastura, Paisalin Tago, Rasol Mitmug Jr., Suwaib Oranon, Eddie Alih, Ibrahim Ali, Melanio Ulama, Said Salendab, Aida Silongan, Romeo Sema, Ali Sangki, Ali Salik, Bainon Karon, and Bai Maleiha Candao as co-authors. (Publication and Media Relations Division)

*Originally published by the BTA-Publication and Media Relations Division (https://parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph/uncategorized/bangsamoro-parliament-pushes-for-more-hospital-creation-improvement-in-maguindanao-and-lanao-del-sur/)

COTABATO CITY — Two bills aimed at establishing and upgrading hospitals in Lanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi were filed by some members of the Parliament in the plenary today.

Parliament Bill 128, a measure aiming to create a general hospital in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, was introduced on first reading.

While Parliament Bill 102, which seeks to upgrade the existing Balindong Hospital in Lanao del Sur from its present 10-bed capacity to a 50-bed capacity district hospital, was presented on second reading and referred to committees on health and finance, budget, and management.

MPs Amilbahar Mawallil, Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engr. Baintan Ampatua, Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Abraham Burahan, and Sittie Shahara Mastura filed the PB 128, while MP Saffrulah Dipatuan PB 102 proposed the PB 102.

Sitangkai is one of Tawi-Tawi’s most populated island municipalities. It is located in the southernmost part of the Philippines, close to Malaysia and Indonesia.

“Providing medical services should be a priority for the Bangsamoro region—especially in Sitangkai,” Mawallil said.

As the Covid-19 virus continues to spread throughout the BARMM, he added that most hospitals had reached their capacity limit.

Meanwhile, based on the MOH-BARMM hospital statistics report in 2019, Balindong Municipal Hospital is compelled to render services that exceed its approved bed capacity.

In upgrading the existing Balindong municipal hospital, Dipatuan said, more patients will be catered.

To date, more than twelve bills in the plenary seek the improvement and establishment of hospitals within the region.

Aside from passing legislation, the Bangsamoro government provides health assistance to frontline health workers and patients.

Its assistance includes the turnover of ambulances, appropriation of cash aids, and distribution of medical supplies such as oxygen tanks and medicinal kits. (Publication and Media Relations Division)

*Originally published by the BTA-Publication and Media Relations Division (https://parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph/latest-news/barmm-lawmakers-file-creating-upgrading-hospitals-in-lanao-del-sur-and-tawi-tawi/)