The Bangsamoro government plans to put up more laboratory testing and isolation facilities to improve its coronavirus disease (Covid-19) response.
Laboratories will be opened in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, said Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan of the Ministry of Health.
“We are strengthening the establishment of more subnational Covid-19 testing facilities in different regional provinces in BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao],” he was quoted by the Philippine Information Agency as saying.
Amai Pakpak Provincial Hospital in Marawi City will also get P15 million for testing lab construction, he said.
Construction of a new Covid-19 isolation facility with a 100-bed capacity will soon start in Datu Blah Sinsuat District Hospital in North Upi, Maguindanao.
Meanwhile, a ceremonial turnover of medical supplies and equipment was held on June 4 in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao between the national task force on Covid-19 and the Bangsamoro government.
Supplies turned over included 1,000 pieces of KN95 face masks and 10,000 personal protective equipment, all from the Department of Health.
The task force has also acquired 23,000 rapid test kits, which will be equally issued to the five BARMM provinces, Cotabato City and the 6th Infantry Division in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. (Jojo Mangahis)