Japan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) rolled out a three-year program that will strengthen maternal and child health in remote areas in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa).

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya and IOM Philippines Chief of Mission Tristan Burnett formally signed and exchanged notes for project Resilient and Equitable Access to Care and Health (REACH)-BaSulTa in a ceremony in Makati City on Thursday.

The new program, to be implemented by IOM, will run from 2025 to 2028 and targets to benefit more than 410,000 people, especially internally displaced persons.

“This project symbolizes a critical step forward in our continued partnership with the Philippines, particularly in addressing the pressing health needs of vulnerable populations in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” Endo said.

“Japan has a long standing commitment to supporting BARMM and we recognize the challenges that persist in this region,” he added.

According to IOM, Bangsamoro is beset with systemic issues, including insufficient human resources for health and lack of well-functioning facilities — challenges compounded by several other factors, including security and geography, that inhibit access to necessary care.

Through REACH-BaSulTa, Endo said Japan and IOM would help enhance maternal and child health services by bridging gaps in health facilities, workforce capacity and community awareness.

One of the project objectives is to improve the local health system by training health workers and developing health facilities in targeted BaSulTa sites.

It will also support the rollout of integrated health promotion activities by trained workers there as well as the conduct of community mapping for PhilHealth enrollment, among others.

Burnett said the IOM would provide necessary technical expertise and complement existing efforts by local health authorities in the region.

“Anchored on the Universal Health Care agenda, this program reflects our shared long-term vision for health care systems that are equitable, resilient, adaptive, and inclusive,” she said.

BARMM Minister of Health Kadil Sinolinding Jr., for his part, pledged to support and replicate the program in other parts of the Bangsamoro

“We pledge to continue working hand-in-hand with the Japanese government, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), and the United Nations IOM to complete, sustain, and even replicate this initiative to other areas as well. We are dedicated to strengthen our health systems, ensuring resilience, equitable, and accessible health services for all our communities,” he said.

Also present to witness the signing ceremony were Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Department of Health Director Joel Buenaventura and Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative to the Philippines Baba Takashi. (PNA)