MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao (MindaNews / 26 March) – The Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) today reported, with sadness, the demise of one of the 120,000 internally displace persons in Maguindanao.
ARMM Health Secretary Kadil Sinolinding Jr. said a four-year-old boy died of dehydration due to severe diarrhea in Barangay Libutan evacuation center last Wednesday.
“We are sad a child had died,” Sinolinding said.
“We have more than 10,000 sick evacuees and the number is rising by the day,” he added.
He said the most common diseases are colds, fever and cough.
About 120,000 “bakwits” are now housed in various evacuation centers in 15 municipalities of Maguindanao since the military launched an all-out war against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Sinolinding appealed for donations for safe drinking water from concerned citizens and organizations to help prevent the outbreak of any diseases, especially diarrhea.
He said drinking water rationing has started to ensure IDPs take safe drinking water.
According to Sinolinding, the DOH-ARMM and Maguindanao’s Integrated Provincial Health Office have established 15 health stations, including one mini-hospital in Barangay Libutan. An ambulance is on standby.
“These health stations are manned by our personnel 24/7,” Sinolinding said.
He said about 2,000 pregnant and lactating mothers are being attended to by health providers to prevent forced labor or forced abortion.
