US, Japan, Korea dev't agencies launch P1.6-B healthcare programs in BARMM

Developmental agencies of Japan, South Korea, and the United States on Friday signed a partnership committing P1.6 billion pesos to boost healthcare programs in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

This partnership will run for five years until 2030 aimed at improving health outcomes and advancing the Universal Health Care in the autonomous region.

The Memorandum of Cooperation between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is considered a big step towards strengthening healthcare in the Philippines.

They will work closely with BARMM's Ministry of Health, the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH), local communities, and other key stakeholders to improve health information systems; increase public health financing; promote good public health practices; expand quality healthcare services, and improve access to essential medicines, facilities, and equipment.

JICA, KOICA, and USAID will share their expertise and will also have their focus and priority on health programs in BARMM.

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the international assistance will augment the grants that BARMM received from the national government for its health programs

“We do hope that with the entry of the aid from the international partners we can improve primary care yung first access of care of all these Bangsamoro Citizens," Herbosa said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News