MILF gets mobile operating clinic from Turkey

SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao - Today marks another important milestone in delivering peace dividends to our people as we transition from conflict situation into just, honorable and lasting peace and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro. This was how Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) described the momentous event of the Turn-over of the Mobile Operating Clinic from the Turkey Government to the MILF through the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) on April 28, 2018 at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.His speech was delivered by Muhammad Ameen, secretary of the MILF Central Committee.He disclosed that as per the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) of 2014, less than half (46.7%) of the Bangsamoro households have access to healthcare facilities. Thus provision of preventive and palliative care is similarly limited, Murad said.The MILF also expressed gratitude to the TIKA. Let me also express my profound thanks to the TIKA for their unwavering support and commitment. We know that this is just a start of our sustained partnership and collaboration in the Bangsamoro, the MILF chief said.In a welcome address by Toks Ibrahim, admin officer of the General Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF-MILF), he related a short history of the Camp Darapanan.Dr. Sherjan Kalim, BDA focal on health and improvement program discussed the overview of the Mobile Operating Clinic by presenting the Comprehensive Bangsamoro Health Development Program.He mentioned about the identified needs on health in the Bangsamoro and the strategies and ways forward to address those gaps.In the Ceremonial Turn-over were Yasim Baktir, Philippine Country Director for the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) who handed the key to MILF Sec. Ameen then toBDA.BDA also presented a token appreciation to TIKA during the program.Prof. Raby Angkal, chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) also spoke in behalf of Ghadzali Jaafar, BTC Chairman and at the same time MILF Vice-Chairman.Dr. Danda Juanday, chairman of the Bangsamoro Medical Society (BMS) in his message expressed delight of the Mobile Operating Clinic. Today is our dream before, Juanday said. During our early days, we were dreaming of this Mobile Operating Clinic and this has now become a reality by the Turkey Government thru TIKA, Juanday added.Dr. Zulkarnain Abas, asssistant secretary of the Department of Health-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) expressed support of this event representing Dr.Kadil Sinolinding, Jr, secretary of the DOH-ARMM. We are supportive not only of this Mobile Operating Clinic but also of the Bangsamoro Government through the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), Abas said.In his closing message, Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, BDA chairman likewise expressed that this a day of a dream come true. He mentioned about the early days of BDA where most of its senior members and officials were health professionals.Dr. Dipatuan thanked the Turkey government and the TIKA for this help extended to the Bangsamoro.The Turn-over Ceremony was attended by key personalities from various organizations and agencies like the members of the MILF Central Committee, BTC, BMS, Amanah Birthing Clinic, UnYPhil-Women, Community and Family Services International (CFSI), MILF Social Welfare Committee.The Mobile Operating Clinic worth P7 million pesosfeatures Operating room with anesthesia machine, ECG, Defibrillator Machine, patient monitor gadget and others.