MARAWI CITY – Two hospital bills aimed at upgrading district hospitals to improve health care in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur were approved on the third and final reading in a session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, June 15.

BTA Parliament Bills No. 51 and 79 seek to upgrade the existing Datu Blah Sinsuat District Hospital in Maguindanao and the Wao District Hospital in Lanao del Sur, respectively.

There were 54 votes in favor of both hospital measures, with zero votes against and no abstentions.

Committee on Health Chair MP Safrullah Dipatuan, one of the main authors of the hospital bills, noted that both Datu Blah Sinsuat District Hospital and Wao District Hospital primarily serve Indigenous People (IP) communities.

Having these bills passed, he said, would show the Christian and IP communities that the Bangsamoro government is inclusive and taking good care of them.

The Bangsamoro Government is mandated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law to provide for a comprehensive and integrated health service delivery for its constituents and establish by law a general hospital system to serve the health requirements of its people and ensure that the individual's basic right to life will be attainable through the prompt intervention of excellent and affordable medical services.

"I am very excited today because I dream that all the hospitals in BARMM will be upgraded and standardized," MP Dipatuan added.

The existing Datu Blah Sinsuat Level I District Hospital will be upgraded from a 10-bed capacity into a Level II hospital with a 100-bed authorized capacity, while the Wao District Hospital will be upgraded from a level 1 with a 25-bed capacity into a 50-bed authorized capacity.

The upgrades will be implemented following the national standards set by the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services under the Department of Health (DOH).

The existing buildings, including landscaping, medical and office equipment, and other facilities, operating funds, and personnel, will also be upgraded to include the needed construction and procurement to meet the prescribed standards for the upgraded level.

"I thank all my colleagues on the Committee on Health and other members of Parliament for their support for the passage of these landmark bills," MP Dipatuan concluded.

The Ministry of Health will have authority over both hospitals and will be responsible for establishing and approving their management and operational structures. (BTA/PIA Lanao del Sur)