COVID-19 vaccination starts to roll in APMC
Finally, the COVID-19 vaccination campaign of the National Government spearheaded by the National Task Force and Department of Health has reached Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City as part of the nationwide mass immunization campaign to health care workers and employees of health facilities catering to COVID-19 patients.
On Monday, March 8, 2021, two days after the 1,181 vials of Sinovac vaccine was delivered to APMC from DOH 10 Regional Office, commenced the first day of the immunization of the employees held at the gymnasium.
Lanao del Sur Provincial Vice Governor Honorable Mohammad Khalid ‘Mujam’ Rakiin Adiong, on behalf of Governor Mamintal ‘Bombit’ Alonto Adiong, who is on an official travel outside the province, earnestly thanked the healthcare workers for the sincerity and dedication for responding to the threats and taking care of COVID-19 patients admitted in APMC.
In his message, Vice Governor Mujam called the healthcare workers “Superheroes.” The Vice Governor personally witnessed the sacrifices and the commitment demonstrated by the APMC employees in taking care of patients infected with COVD-19, as he was a victim of the dreaded virus last January 18, 2021, and was treated and successfully recovered at the said facility.
The Vice Governor said that he too would like to get vaccinated to protect himself, his loved ones, his fellow public servants, and the people whom he serves and uttered his support by standing with APMC in facing the challenges either in health or other circumstances for the welfare and best interest of the people.
Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin, the Medical Center Chief took the momentous event and historical milestone not only to APMC but also to the whole province, to express her deepest gratitude to the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur through the effort of Governor Bombit for making things possible by allocating P10 Million for the construction of the Biomolecular Laboratory of APMC.
As of March 7, 2021, according to the Medical Center Chief, the country recorded a total of 594,412 COVID cases; 36,043 of which are active cases and four (4) of them are now being treated and regularly monitored in APMC.
“Today, hope comes at APMC doorsteps in a form of Sinovac vaccine. As Health workers, we are just few of those listed in the first priority to receive this vaccine and we are grateful. In return, we are encouraged to become advocates to people who are hesitant to receive this vaccine because of misinformation. We must see every opportunity to educate them. It is our responsibility as health workers to give hope and healing,” Dr. Rakiin said.
For more than a year, health workers are used to wearing PPEs as a minimum health protocol requirement against the infectious COVID-19. The Medical Center Chief firmly believes that hope and resilience, two of the positive traits of Filipinos, are keys to face and surpass every obstacle.
The proactive contributions of the officers, especially Dr. Moamar M. Casim, the Chief of Medical Professional Staff, as well as the Department and Section Heads, and the Vaccination Team is humbly recognized by Dr. Rakiin, that help ensure a successful vaccination in APMC and to the employees for registering to be part of the wide mass vaccination in support of the National Government’s campaign through the National Task Force and Department of Health.
To demonstrate that the Sinovac vaccine is safe, Dr. Rakiin was the first to get vaccinated followed by Dr. Casim, Dr. Alexis A. Gutoc, Head of Orthopedic Center and HEMS; Dr. Abdul Nasser V. Maca-alin, Head of the Public Health Unit, and Chief of Nursing Section Marlyn Lucman. Vice Governor Mujam personally witnessed the vaccination along with the Honorable Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Board Member Shirali Sani, Board Member Abdulhamid Amirbitor, and Board Member Alicozaman Mangata.
Officers from the Department of Health – Center of Health Development Region 10 were also present to closely supervise and monitor the three-day vaccination at the Rehabilitation, Wellness, and HEMS Complex Center.
COVID-19 vaccination starts to roll in APMC
Finally, the COVID-19 vaccination campaign of the National Government spearheaded by the National Task Force and Department of Health has reached Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City as part of the nationwide mass immunization campaign to health care workers and employees of health facilities catering to COVID-19 patients.
On Monday, March 8, 2021, two days after the 1,181 vials of Sinovac vaccine was delivered to APMC from DOH 10 Regional Office, commenced the first day of the immunization of the employees held at the gymnasium.
Lanao del Sur Provincial Vice Governor Honorable Mohammad Khalid ‘Mujam’ Rakiin Adiong, on behalf of Governor Mamintal ‘Bombit’ Alonto Adiong, who is on an official travel outside the province, earnestly thanked the healthcare workers for the sincerity and dedication for responding to the threats and taking care of COVID-19 patients admitted in APMC.
In his message, Vice Governor Mujam called the healthcare workers “Superheroes.” The Vice Governor personally witnessed the sacrifices and the commitment demonstrated by the APMC employees in taking care of patients infected with COVD-19, as he was a victim of the dreaded virus last January 18, 2021, and was treated and successfully recovered at the said facility.
The Vice Governor said that he too would like to get vaccinated to protect himself, his loved ones, his fellow public servants, and the people whom he serves and uttered his support by standing with APMC in facing the challenges either in health or other circumstances for the welfare and best interest of the people.
Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin, the Medical Center Chief took the momentous event and historical milestone not only to APMC but also to the whole province, to express her deepest gratitude to the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur through the effort of Governor Bombit for making things possible by allocating P10 Million for the construction of the Biomolecular Laboratory of APMC.
As of March 7, 2021, according to the Medical Center Chief, the country recorded a total of 594,412 COVID cases; 36,043 of which are active cases and four (4) of them are now being treated and regularly monitored in APMC.
“Today, hope comes at APMC doorsteps in a form of Sinovac vaccine. As Health workers, we are just few of those listed in the first priority to receive this vaccine and we are grateful. In return, we are encouraged to become advocates to people who are hesitant to receive this vaccine because of misinformation. We must see every opportunity to educate them. It is our responsibility as health workers to give hope and healing,” Dr. Rakiin said.
For more than a year, health workers are used to wearing PPEs as a minimum health protocol requirement against the infectious COVID-19. The Medical Center Chief firmly believes that hope and resilience, two of the positive traits of Filipinos, are keys to face and surpass every obstacle.
The proactive contributions of the officers, especially Dr. Moamar M. Casim, the Chief of Medical Professional Staff, as well as the Department and Section Heads, and the Vaccination Team is humbly recognized by Dr. Rakiin, that help ensure a successful vaccination in APMC and to the employees for registering to be part of the wide mass vaccination in support of the National Government’s campaign through the National Task Force and Department of Health.
To demonstrate that the Sinovac vaccine is safe, Dr. Rakiin was the first to get vaccinated followed by Dr. Casim, Dr. Alexis Gutoc, Dr. Abdul Nasser V. Nasser, Head of the Public Health Unit, and Chief of Nursing Section Marlyn Lucman. Vice Governor Mujam personally witnessed the vaccination along with the Honorable Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Board Member Shirali Sani, Board Member Abdulhamid Amirbitor, and Board Member Alicozaman Mangata.
Officers from the Department of Health – Center of Health Development Region 10 were also present to closely supervise and monitor the three-day vaccination at the Rehabilitation, Wellness, and HEMS Complex Center.
Sinovac Vaccines Safely Arrives in APMC
The Medical Center Chief of Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin expressed her deepest gratitude to the National Government and the Department of Health Central Office for having received the first batch of the Sinovac vaccine vials after traveling for more than three-hours from Cagayan de Oro City to Marawi City, covering a total of 128 kilometers.
DOH 10 Regional Office delivered the vaccine vials, the first dose of Sinovac for the employees of APMC on March 6, 2021.
In the words of Dr. Rakiin, “Today is a joyous day for APMC with the arrival of our vaccine allocation of 1,181 vials. The 1st dose of our vaccine. Alhamdulillah, we have won the battle halfway.”
In spite of the strict observance of the health protocols, 118 front liners and administrative employees of APMC were infected with COVID-19 as they perform their daily duties and responsibilities serving the patients. The Medical Center Chief is thankful that all have recovered and now back on their designated post.
As of March 6, APMC records show that a total of 632 confirmed COVID-10 positive were admitted. 56 of them succumbed to death, 571 have recovered, while 5 are currently being treated and regularly monitored at the COVID-19 Isolation Areas.
“Alhamdulillah, the HOPE is here. May Allah make this as an instrument to end the pandemic. The Battle has not end yet, but the weapon is with us now. Let us take advantage of this. Allah is the witness to our struggles, our fears, and our sacrifices even as we speak now. Let us put an end to it,” Dr. Rakiin said.
The Medical Center Chief also thanked the dedicated members of the COVID-19 Task Force of APMC and the Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) for the commitment to respond to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The safe delivery of the Sinovac was made possible through the proactive support of the Philippine National Police (PNP) of Marawi City by escorting the vehicles carrying the vaccines in the shortest possible time to ensure potency.
LGU Wao signs MOA with APMC for Blood Donation Campaign
With the noble intention of soliciting support for humanitarian reasons, Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin, the Medical Center Chief of Amai Pakpak Medical Center together with the Blood Bank Team traveled to the Municipality of Wao on March 6, 2021, to humbly meet Honorable Councilor Yuti, the Committee Chairman on Health, Dr. Asnawi Dalidig, the Chief of Wao District Hospital, and Dr. Emelyn Alvarez, the Municipal Health Officer, to formally enter a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by facilitating Blood Letting programs in the municipality.
On behalf of Honorable Mayor Balicao, Honorable Municipal Councilor Yuti and Dr. Rakiin signed an agreement that on a quarterly basis, the Local Government Unit of Wao in collaboration with the District Hospital and Municipal Health Office will organize Blood Letting activity for APMC. The signing of the MOA was witnessed by Dr. Dalidig and Dr. Alvarez.
Aside from signing the MOA, the Municipal Government through the Rural Health Unit organized a Blood Letting activity to launch the campaign at the Municipal Plaza.
The Municipality of Wao according to Dr. Rakiin, despite its distance is the first and only Local Government Unit in the Province of Lanao del Sur to have responded to the request of APMC and committed to providing a regular supply of blood to Amai Pakpak Medical Center.
APMC is a Level III Hospital and the lead blood service facility, highly capable of operating its Blood Bank. With this MOA, Wao District Hospital will be a Blood Station for APMC and promised to provide necessary assistance to their needs including the provision of blood.
Dr. Rakiin is hoping for other Local Government Units in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte to grant the request by entering into an agreement to fill in the gaps for lack of blood supply to further serve the constituents of the two Lanao provinces.
