COTABATO CITY (PIA) — Aligned with its vision for a healthy Bangsamoro community, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of the Bangsamoro government is intensifying its efforts to promote a healthy community through the “Seven Priority Areas” health module, especially crafted with Islamic perspectives.
The Department of Health (DOH) outlines the Seven Priority Areas as the anchor for the health module.
During the recent Talakayang Dose radio program of the Philippine Information Agency in Region XII, MOH Minister Kadil Sinolinding Jr. explained the identified areas of the module, which include diet and exercise; environmental health; immunity; substance use; mental health; sexual and reproductive health; and violence and injury prevention.
“Itong seven health priority areas ay nakita po ng ating kagawaran na kung saan dito nakasalalay ang susi sa isang ligtas at malusog na pamumuhay. Ito po ay alinsunod sa panawagan at alituntunin na sinusunod ng kagawaran ng kalusugan sa Central Office,” he said.
(Our department has identified these seven health priority areas as the key to a safe and healthy lifestyle. This is in accordance with the call and guidelines followed by the health department at the Central Office.)
Sinolinding conveyed that they are enriching the module with Islamic values, using verses from the Qur’an and the Hadith as a guide to effectively counter distrust and improve health campaign strategies.
“Itong module na ito na ginagawa ng MOH is being translated and being transliterated sa mga kapatid nating Muslim na hindi masyado nakakaintindi ng English o kaya ng wikang Pilipino,” Sinolinding stressed.
(For our Muslim brothers and sisters who do not understand English or the Filipino language well, MOH is translating and transliterating this module.)
Sinolinding also shared that the ministry has collaborated with different Muslim Religious Leaders (MRLs) in the region, including the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta (BDI), Committee on Da’wah wa Masajid Affairs, Lajnatul Tarbiya Wa Ta’leem, and Hay-ato Ulama El-Muslimina Bil-Filibbin, to help influence the community on healthy habits.
“Pagkasama po ang ating Muslim religious leaders and the Muslim teachings sa ating pinu-push na priority agenda, mas madali po ang pagtanggap nila at less po ang ating matatanggap na resistance mula sa ating mga kababayan,” he pointed out.
(Involving our Muslim religious leaders and Muslim teachings into our priority agenda will facilitate acceptance, thereby reducing resistance from our fellow citizens.)
He also emphasized the importance of the module and its potential positive impact on the Bangsamoro community.
“Kung mas mapabilis ang dissemination nito, especially yung tinatawag na information drive, I think ang ating problema sa pagkalat at paglaganap ng mga sakit ay mas lalo pang bababa,” Sinolinding said.
(We can lessen our problem with the disease’s spread if we can speed up the information drive or its dissemination.)
The MOH has scheduled the official launch of the module in August this year in various Bangsamoro areas, utilizing tri-media, radio broadcast, and print media.
Moreover, MOH Health and Promotion Officer (HEPO) Saida Ali stated at the most recent three-day write-shops for the module that the health module’s implementation ought to be distinct and ensure the mobilization of MRLs across the region.
“MRLs, aside from being trusted community figures, include scholars in remote communities. We will use that network to disseminate these seven health priority programs in their respective areas, from mainland BARMM to the island provinces,” Ali said.
Islamic scholars who participated in the activity also expressed their commitment to working with the ministry to complete the module.
“Rest assured, I will do my best to support the MOH programs, not only in crafting this module but also during the rollout in grassroots communities, Inshallah,” expressed Ustadz Amerudin Batua of Hay-ato Ulama El-Muslimina Bil-Filibbin. (LTB – PIA Cotabato City)
