Cotabato City – In a historic move aimed at ensuring the well-being of Filipino Hajj pilgrims, the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) signed a historic Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Thursday, April 3, at the NCMF OSEC Conference Room in Diliman, Quezon City. 

This pioneering partnership marks the first-ever vaccine donation from MOH-BARMM to the NCMF, reinforcing healthcare support for Filipino Muslims ahead of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.

 

Under the agreement, MOH-BARMM will provide 5,000 doses each of meningococcal and flu vaccines, a critical step to prevent infectious diseases among pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia.

 

NCMF Secretary Sabuddin Abdurahim and MOH-BARMM Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., formalized the agreement, both emphasizing the vital role of proactive healthcare in mass gatherings.

 

“This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to our Muslim brothers and sisters,” said Abdurahim. 

“With MOH-BARMM’s support, we are not only protecting pilgrims but also fulfilling our public health mandate as they perform their religious duties,” said the NCMF Secretary.

 

Sinolinding echoed the sentiment, highlighting vaccination as a cornerstone of disease prevention.  

“By equipping pilgrims with these life-saving vaccines, we prioritize both individual safety and collective well-being. We envision this as the start of sustained collaboration for Hajj pilgrims’ health,” Sinolinding said.

 

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s health regulations, which require vaccinations for all Hajj participants to curb disease outbreaks. With thousands of Filipinos undertaking the pilgrimage annually, MOH’s contribution sets a precedent for health security.

 

The NCMF will oversee vaccine distribution nationwide, coordinating with local offices and launching awareness campaigns to underscore the importance of immunization.