German government donates equipment to boost BARMM’s Covid-19 vax campaign

COTABATO CITY: The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Saturday February 26 received electronic devices and information, education and communication (IEC) materials from the German government through the programs of the International Organization for migration (IOM) which supports the autonomous region in its vaccination campaign against Covid-19. Deputy Health Minister Dr Zul Qarneyn Abas said IOM’s new support aims to raise awareness of Covid-19 vaccines and intensify vaccination campaign to tackle high hesitancy rate in the Bangsamoro area. IOM Program Manager Matthew Bidder presented Minister Abas and Director General Dr Amirel Usman with a laptop computer, multimedia projector, lightweight portable speaker and tote bags containing materials IEC. “We know that information is the key aspect of rolling out Covid-19 vaccination in the Bangsamoro region. [The IEC materials can help in] get the right information to those who don’t know as much about vaccines,” Bidder said. Dr Usman added: “The key is also to provide a technology solution so we can reach more people with the messages that we already have in the department. To date, IOM has provided assistance to residents of Bangsamoro, including medical equipment, land and sea ambulances. “By the end of March this year, IOM will also provide ambulances to the island provinces of BARMM mainland regions,” said IOM Senior Program Officer Haifa Abdila.