The Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) announced Tuesday that Bangsamoro residents living outside the region can access medical services provided by the regional government.

In a statement, BARMM Health Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding said the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program (MAIFIPP) caters to Bangsamoro patients in need of medical care both inside and outside BARMM.

“We are grateful to these hospitals. We have partnered with 31 public and 21 private hospitals,” said Sinolinding, an ophthalmologist and member of the BARMM parliament.

The MAIFIPP program is being implemented with 52 partner hospitals and aims to ensure continuous access to medical assistance for eligible indigent and financially incapacitated patients.

Sinolinding also highlighted the program’s benefits for decommissioned Moro combatants and their families within the region.

“Our medical assistance is designed to protect and preserve the lives of every Bangsamoro,” he said.

From September 2022 to September 2023, the MAIFIPP served 119,877 admissions and outpatients.

Baby Norbaina Caludtiag, head of BARMM’s Malasakit Program Unit, said the partner hospitals are open to all eligible clients. Patients must submit the required documents to the social workers at the hospital where they are receiving care. (PNA)