Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan, minister of the Ministry of Health-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of MOH-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Health-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) said it has intensified its preemptive measures to prevent the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) from entering the region.
MOH-BARMM Minister, Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan said he has directed all the heads of health facilities in BARMM to ramp up preparedness against the disease.
"In the light of the Department of Health’s head office's ‘Code Red’ declaration, our health workers and facilities across the region should always be ready,” Dipatuan told reporters here Tuesday.
The minister said he has also instructed hospitals to put up reserved wards for patients with Covid-19 symptoms.
“This is in preparation in case we have patients manifesting symptoms of the disease,” he said.
Dipatuan reiterated that as of Tuesday (March 10), the BARMM remains free from Covid-19.
"The two persons earlier placed under monitoring in Marawi City came out negative from infection based on the results of their laboratory tests,” he said.
The MOH-BARMM is also closely coordinating with other ministries such as the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) and Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) in monitoring the situation.
“As of now, classes have not been suspended yet in the region but orders could be up anytime from the BARMM superiors depending on the situation,” Dipatuan said.
He also appealed to the BARMM constituents to remain calm and vigilant and to practice preventive measures such as regular handwashing, social distancing, and avoid going to crowded places. (PNA)
