MOH-BARMM, partners kicks off anti-polio drive
HEALTH • 19:15 PM Mon Jul 20, 2020
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BPI-BARMM news release
Health Minsiter Safrulla Dipatuan and BARMM Deputy Exec. Sec. Abdulla Cusain during kick off program. (BARMM PHOTOS)
The BARMM’s Ministry of Health (MOH) led on Monday, July 20, the kick-off ceremony of the Department of Health’s (DOH) synchronized polio vaccination campaign dubbed ‘Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio’.
The campaign targets to stop the poliovirus outbreak in the country, after 19 years of being polio-free, by immunizing children against the virus.
Health Minister Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan said it is time to bring back the halted pace of DOH-National Immunization program after it was suspended on March 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are doing this campaign for the sake of our children in BARMM, we cannot allow them to be exposed to many health risks while facing health crisis,” Dipatuan said.
The MOH will be conducting the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio on the five provinces of BARMM from July 20 to August 20. Community-based public health practitioners assigned for the polio-vaccination will strictly observe health and safety measures during the entire conduct of the campaign.
In his message, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod ‘Al Haj Murad’ Ebrahim said “Inaanyayahan po namin ang lahat na makiisa sa programa na inihanda laban sa polio. We assure that the region’s overall health care is protected and competent.”
Ebrahim was represented by BARMM Assistant Executive Secretary Abdullah Cusain.
Monday’s event was attended by MOH officials, BARMM Cabinet Secretary Asnin Pendatun, UNICEF Chief of Mindanao Andrew Morris, representatives from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), World Health Officer Julie Villadolid, Rotary Club of Cotabato City South President Sadic Batua, members of the Bangsamoro IATF on Covid-19, representatives from Mindanao Humanitarian Team, and other stakeholders. (Bureau of Public Information)