COTABATO CITY — National Department of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire and Bangsamoro Ministry of Health OIC Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas led the launching of the Special Vaccination Day (SVD) against Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in BARMM on Thursday, July 21, at the Bangsamoro Government Center.
“The very reason kung bakit kami nandito, ang kagawaran ng kalusugan, ay para ipakita ang suporta namin sa BARMM. Dahil ang gusto natin kapag tayo ay nakapunta na doon sa new normal natin, wala kahit isang Pilipinong maiiwan,” Vergeire said.
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 “We would also like to give our sincerest thanks to our healthcare workers who front line our defenses. By ensuring that everyone is vaccinated, we ensure your protection too,” she added, encouraging the Bangsamoro people to join the campaign against COVID-19 pandemic.
During the activity, BARMM Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua received his 2nd booster shot to show support to the campaign. Macacua also delivered Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s message, which said the Bangsamoro Government renews its vow to work hand-in-hand with the DOH in strengthening the COVID-19 vaccination drive.
“We reaffirm our pledge to collectively exert all possible mechanism to work with the Health Department in intensifying our vaccination drive. May we continue to reach the far-flung areas of the region, encourage those who are hesitant, and provide adaptive schedules for those who are unavailable to be vaccinated,” Ebrahim said.
Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) also provided 10-kilo sacks of rice to the residents who received their vaccines during the activity.
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Also present were DOH Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama Jr., DOH-12 Regional Director Aristedes Conception Tan, MOH Director General Dr. Amirel Usman, Social Services Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie, Maguindanao IPHO Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Elizabeth Samama, Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) Chief of Hospital Dr. Esmael Dimaren, Cotabato Sanitarium Chief of Hospital Dr. Ibrahim Pangato, and Cotabato City Vice Mayor Johari Abu and City Administrator Atty. Aelan Arumpac.
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The SVD was in support to the PinasLakas Campaign of the DOH that is set to be launched on July 26. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
