Japan, IOM donate sea ambulances to BARMM

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Japanese government and United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) turned over two sea ambulances and medical equipment worth $2.7 million (P135 million) to the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous in Muslim Mindanao in support of BARMM’s COVID response.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa and IOM officer-in-charge for the Philippines Troy Dooley led the turnover of the sea ambulances, which were anchored at the police maritime headquarters in Baliwasan Seaside, and medical equipment at the Zamboanga City Medical Center.

Koshikawa and Dooley boarded the sea ambulances to test their capability and inspected the medical equipment consisting of three units of cold chain vehicles and antigen test kits.

“Japan firmly believes that peace is the foundation for happiness. It is the hope of the government of Japan and Japanese people that people living in Mindanao will be able to enjoy peaceful and fulfilled lives,” Koshikawa said.

Most areas in the BARMM remain under Alert Level 2 due to vaccine hesitancy.

Koshikawa said the Japanese government has donated more than three million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines and medical equipment to the Philippines.

”It is our first time to provide sea ambulances. And when I saw the vessels this morning, I was gratified to know these vessels will greatly contribute to transportation of emergency cases,” he said.

Dooley, for his part, said the assistance comes at an opportune time as the Philippine government boosts its efforts to recover from the pandemic and strengthen its COVID-19 vaccination program.

Dooley said the IOM has been conducting a series of health emergency preparedness interventions to support the Muslim region’s COVID-19 preparedness and response