HONORING FRONT-LINERS. Officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19, led by BARMM health minister Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan (4th from left) and BARMM-IATF spokesperson Asnin Pendatun (2nd from right), display encouraging messages honoring health workers in the region and worldwide during the World Health Day observance on Tuesday (April 7, 2020). Aside from ensuring that regional health workers have proper support in the fight against the disease, the BARMM-IATF is also keen on providing the front-liners with hazard pay. (Photo courtesy of BPI-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY – In line with the celebration of World Health Day on Tuesday, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Inter-Agency Task Force (BARMM-IATF) on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) honored doctors, nurses, and other front-line personnel in the fight against the dreaded disease.
“The BARMM is one with the rest of the world in recognizing the exemplary work of doctors, nurses, midwives, among others, and the critical role they attend to in keeping the world safe and healthy,” D. Safrullah Dipatuan, regional health minister and co-chair of the BARMM-IATF, said.
Dipatuan said without the health workers, there would be pandemonium in the management of the Covid-19 global crisis.
"They face the front line with dedication and courage, even if they also have their fears and anxiety in their hearts. I offer you my snappy salute," he said.
To ensure that the health workers in the region are equipped in battling Covid-19, the BARMM has augmented its medical supplies and equipment.
"We are one of the regions in Mindanao who were early to procure and give augmentation to medical supplies and equipment," BARMM-IATF spokesperson Mohammad Asnin Pendatun said.
The augmented supplies include personal protective equipment, surgical masks, face shields, isolation gowns, isopropyl alcohol, disinfection solution, thermal scanners, and assorted medicine initially turned over to three Covid-19 referral hospitals in the region.
"You (health workers) are our everyday heroes in this fight against Covid-19," Pendatun said.
Commenting on the reported discrimination and harassment of health workers due to the Covid-19 scare, Pendatun said the BARMM would not take such incidents lightly.
"We will enforce rule of law, making sure that our health workers are protected,” he said.
Pendatun said the BARMM-IATF is in talks with the region’s chief minister’s office on granting hazard pay to health care and other front-line workers. (PNA)
