BARMM Taps Mercury Drug for Php21-M Quick Response Aid for Bangsamoro Indigents

COTABATO CITY (SDN)— One of the most pressing needs of indigent patients is a medicine. There are public and even private entities to get medicines for free, but it entails overcoming a gauntlet of bureaucratic red tape.

Fortunately, for poor patients in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), there is an easy way to get medicines. The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) headed by Minister Raissa Jajurie has come up with a way to help address this problem.

As Jajurie pointed, it has not been done before.

Partnership with Mercury Drug for enhancement of B-CARES’ implementation

To implement the program, the MSSD released on January 23, 2023, a total of Php21 million to seven branches of Mercury Drug in the region for an efficient and minimum of hassle in providing medical services to indigent patients.

The turnover was conducted during the 4th Bangsamoro Foundation Day (BFD) at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), inside the BGC compound. BARMM celebrated the BFD on January 21-27, with many highlights showcasing the Bangsamoro government’s milestones.

Poor patients in need of medicines may avail themselves of the MSSD program through Mercury Drugs seven branches, where the Php21-million funding is dispersed, such as in Cotabato City – Sinsuat Avenue; Cotabato – Magallanes;  Tacurong – Alunan; Iligan – Tubod; Zamboanga – Veterans;  Midsayap – National Highway; and Kabacan – National Highway.

The MSSD emphasized in a report on Bangsamoro.gov.ph said the Php21-million worth of funding “seeks to enhance the delivery of MSSD’s Bangsamoro Critical Assistance for Indigents in Response to Emergency Situations (B-CARES) Program for indigent patients so they can immediately get the medicines their doctors have prescribed for them.

“A patient or his/her representative shall undergo assessment and interview with the Ministry’s social workers. Once deemed qualified, a guaranty letter will be issued, they can proceed to Mercury Drug to get the medicine,” Jajurie assured.

Further, patients seeking assistance may go to MSSD’s office and present the prescription of the medicines, which includes the date of issuance of the prescription, complete name, and the PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) license number, and signature of the attending physician.

“Sa pamamagitan nito’y hindi na mahihirapan ang mga indigent, since hindi ito katulad ng cash assistance na napakadami pang proseso bago maibigay sakanila. Napakaswerte ng Bangsamoro dahil walang ganitong programa noon,” Jajurie added.

(Through this, indigent patients will no longer have difficulties because this is not like a cash assistance that entails many processes before it is released to them. The Bangsamoro is fortunate because there was no similar program in the past.)

Alleviation of patient’s sufferings — says BARMM official

Bangsamoro Deputy Senior Minister Abdullah “Dong” M. Cusain lauded the MSSD’s partnership with Mercury Drug.

“It further alleviates the sufferings of patients by providing a ready relief once they are discharged from hospitals. The free medication spares the patients from additional expenses and anguish,” said Cusain.

He called on the Bangsamoro to continue to believe in the administration of Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), that it will continue to work for their welfare and will not abandon them.  “Exercise patience, for the Bangsamoro government is doing its best to help improve our people’s life,” Cusain said.

Meanwhile, Mercury Branch Manager Daniel Ulep welcomed the partnership between the Filipino pharma company and MSSD and the people behind the successful implementation of the initiative, noting the Bangsamoro government only wants to provide the right and adequate services for poverty-stricken groups.

“Sana po ay tangkilikin niyo ang services ng BARMM dahil wala pong ibang hinangad ang government nito kundi ibigay ang nararapat at tamang services para sa tao. Sana ay magpatuloy ang ganitong programa para naman ang lahat ng tao sa BARMM area ay maka-avail ng programs,” Ulep said.

(Hopefully, you will patronize the services of BARMM because it only aspires to deliver adequate and correct services to its constituents. We hope this program will continue so that all the Bangsamoro people can avail themselves of.)

At the turnover of the Php21-million funding, also with Jajurie, among others, included Cabinet Secretary Asnin Pendatun and MSSD Social Welfare Officer III Bai Fatty Accoy, who handles B-CARES and Crisis Intervention Unit Program of the Bangsamoro government.

It is not only through the pharma company that MSSD has been providing medical services to the Bangsamoro. Under the leadership of Jajurie, the ministry has also been providing funds for some select hospitals.

MSSD’s B-CARES Program with partner hospitals covers the hospitalization expenses, medicines, and medical treatment and procedures (including laboratory, CT scan, dialysis, MRIs, anti-retroviral therapy, and chemotherapy) of the identified and validated poor and eligible beneficiaries. (with report from Johaira Sahidala/Bangsamoro Information Office) — (✓)