COTABATO CITY — In a bid to address the longstanding issue of inadequate funding plaguing the Datu Odin Sinsuat District Hospital (DOSDH) in Maguindanao del Norte, Bangsamoro lawmakers have jointly filed a measure seeking necessary support for the healthcare facility.
The proposed measure seeks to strengthen the implementation of Republic Act No. 1330, which, in 2019, converted the Dinaig Municipal Hospital (DMH) into a 50-bed Datu Odin Sinsuat District Hospital.
Under the existing law, the provincial government of Maguindanao is responsible for providing funding to the hospital, while the Department of Health (DOH) is expected to support the capital outlay requirements.
Despite the conversion, the hospital has reportedly struggled to secure the full budgetary support required for the upgrade.
Member of Parliament Dr. Hashemi N. Dilangalen, one of the main authors of Parliament Bill No. 277, expressed concerns about the hospital’s current operational status.
While being officially designated as a 50-bed district hospital, it reportedly continues to operate at a 10-bed capacity, serving a population as large as 200,000.
The doctor-lawmaker emphasized the severe consequences of the insufficient funding, stating, “the overburdened limited healthcare facilities of the district hospital and the staff shortage negatively impact the hospital’s overall efficiency.”
The measure, authored by MPs Dr. Dilangalen, Amilbahar S. Mawalil, Hamid U. Malik, Atty. Ubaida C. Pacasem, Suharto S. Esmael, and Diamila D. Ramos, calls for the provision of appropriate funding to fully support the 50-bed district hospital.
The Bangsamoro government, in consultation with the Maguindanao Del Norte provincial government, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the management of the said hospital, will provide the necessary support to ensure that the hospital is adequately staffed.
The hospital bill is co-authored by MPs Ali Montaha D. Babao, Rasul E. Ismael, Tarhata M. Maglangit, and Abdulwahab M. Pak. (LTAIS- Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)