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The Department of Health (DOH) regional office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) conducted the Basilan's 1st Health Summit yesterday here in Zamboanga City attended by hundreds of health workers.

The activity spearheaded by DOH-ARMM Secretary Kadil Sinolinding is aimed to showcase the milestone and achievements based on the accomplishments that the present administration had done in the past 22 months.

"What we are doing, discussing, talking here are interventions that we have done since 2010 when I assumed (as DOH-ARMM regional secretary) and until now," Dr. Sinolinding, Jr. told local reporters here.

In his assessment, the DOH ARMM secretary said most of the status now in terms of health services and interventions are improving most specifically the maternal and neo-natal mortality that has been plugging the region especially the province of Basilan.

For many years, according to Sinolinding, the trend now is going down slowly and continuosly. "So iyong challenge po natin na nakasalalay po ang buhay ng ating mga nanay at ng mga bata (sanggol) ay unti-unti ng gumaganda."

This, he said, due to the services that the DOH under Adiong administration with the help of all the stakeholders including the community, LGUs, international humanitarian partners and the local NGOs specifically the local community itself.

Earlier, the DOH ARMM has been adjudged as the top performing government agency in the autonomous region and as the country's front-running region in breastfeeding.

"I feel vindicated very happy because all the concerted and unified efforts, the delivery of services of workers has now reached its peak and the recognition has been given, as to the performance, the translation of all the activities." Sinolinding explained.

"This is the result of the improvemnt of health facilities, health services and improved number of manpower and then above all, the system it could be in placed in termsd of health sectors," he added.

The Basilan's 1st Health Summit yesterday saw the presence and participation of health workers in the province under the leadership of its IPHO, Dr. Rhoda Principe, who on daily basis risk their lives in serving families and communities.

Local chief executives present during the summit were Mayor Alih Sali (Akbar), Mayor Indanan Daud (Maluso), Mayor Talip Pawaki (Mohamad Ajul), Mayor Muktar Junaid (Tabuan Lasa), Mayor Jaber Kalahal (Tuburan), Mayor Gulam Hataman (Sumisip), Vice Mayor Malun (Sumisip) and Basilan Vice Governor Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul. -- Hader Glang

Photo caption

DOH ARMM Secretary Kadil Sinolinding, Jr. (inset) spearheads the Basilan 1st Health Summit held in one of the hotels in Zamboanga City yesterday.

By Hader Glang