Department of Health

Malaria Control Program

Malaria is a parasite-caused disease that is usually acquired through the bite of a

female Anopheles mosquito. It can be transmitted in the following ways:

(1) blood transfusion from an infected individual

(2) sharing of IV needles
(3) transplacenta (transfer of malaria parasites from an infected mother to its
unborn child).

This parasite-caused disease is the 9th leading cause of morbidity in the country. As of
this year, there are 58 out of 81 provinces that are malaria endemic and 14 million
people are at risk. In response to this health problem, the Department of Health (DOH)
coordinated with its partner organizations and agencies to employ key interventions with
regard to malaria control.

Vision:
Malaria-free Philippines

Mission:
To empower health workers, the population at risk and all others concerned to
eliminate malaria in the country.

Goal:
To significantly reduce malaria burden so that it will no longer affect the socio -
economic development of individuals and families in endemic areas.
Beneficiaries:
The Malaria Control Program targets the meager-resourced municipalities in
endemic provinces, rural poor residing near breeding areas, farmers relying on
forest products, indigenous people with limited access to quality health care
services, communities affected by armed conflicts, as well as pregnant women
and children aged five years old and below.

Program Strategies:

The DOH, in coordination with its key partners and the LGUs, implements the
following interventions:

1. Early diagnosis of the disease and prompt

treatment This was achieved through:

  
diagnostic centers which serve as cites of microscopy
  
manning by a RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test) trained personnel
 
 promotion of the existence of diagnostic centers



2. Controlling the spread of mosquitoes

This was achieved through:

  
giving out insecticide-treated mosquito nets
 
 indoor spraying which targets houses and not only communities



3. Implementation of community-based malaria control

This was achieved through:

  
social mobilization
 
education sessions
National Center for Health Promotion
The National Center for health promotion are also sending out pamphlets with the
following information to inform citizens on how to prevent malaria

Prevention and control:

  Use mosquito nets. It is more effective if the mosquito net is treated with insecticide
  Use long sleeve and pants

  Use repellants/ coils and screens on doors and windows


  Clear hanging branches of trees along the streams



  Blood examination for signs and symptoms of malaria


 
Follow advice of health workers on how to take anti-malaria drugs

The DOH has also a number of proposed activities for the malaria control program.
These activities are listed below:

Trainings


Proficiency tests given out to validators of malaria to ensure Quality Assurance

and Quality Control through slide cross-checking and supervision of current
activities

 
Training on epidemic management for regional and provincial malaria coordinators in
provinces that have less than 100,000 cases of malaria
  
Training in the use of insecticides for public health use
  National training course on malaria control for mid-level managers


  Basic malaria microscopy training for medical technologists



  Training of hospital physicians on clinical management of severe malaria cases




Orientationon national policy on diagnosis and chemotherapy for malaria (health
providers)
World Health Organization
Aside from the DOH and the National Center for Health Promotion here in the
Philippines, the World Health Organization also made some guidelines in the treatment
of malaria.

There are 2 branches that the WHO has been working with in their goal to stop malaria.
One is Rollback Malaria and the other is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis
and Malaria. The Global Fund helps finance treatments and prevention measures while
Rollback Malaria is the implementing entity which functions by promoting increased
investment in health systems and incorporating malaria control into multi-sector
activities.

Budget

In the Philippines, an allocation of funds for malaria has been set for the past years. It
shows that since the year of 2000, a budget of 3M Pesos has been given to the malaria
control program. Projected values of the funding are at a national level.

Legislature

As mentioned, malaria is a disease that is carried by mosquitoes. In order to prevent the

attraction and growth of their population, there are a few national policies on
environmental health that would help stop the spread of malaria, such as the following:

a) Constitution, Article XII, Section 2

Here it states that, “The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic
waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment
exclusively to Filipino citizens.” In protecting our environment, there would be a
decrease in the occurrence of malaria and enjoy a clean and healthy life.
\
b) Cabinet Resolution No. 37

Philippines Strategy for Sustainable Development – The Philippines being a developing

country, this resolution addresses the problems on growth and development such as
pesticide buildup from agriculture and the degradation of natural resources caused by
misuse and over exploitation.

c) PD 856
Sanitation Code of the Philippines - tackles the rules and regulations regarding health
codes of water supplies, food establishments, etc. For a complete list of the sanitation
code, click the link below.

d) Administrative Order No. 34

Philippine Health Promotion Program through Healthy Places – promotes the

implementation of healthy living, especially in public places such as streets, schools,
workplaces, terminals, etc.

Program Accomplishments:

For the development of health policies, the Malaria Medium Term Plan (2011-2016) is
already in its final draft while the Malaria Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and
Plan is being drafted. The Malaria Program is being monitored in six provinces as the
Philippine Malaria Information System is being reviewed and enhanced.

In strengthening the capabilities of the LGUs, trainings are conducted. These include:
series of Basic and Advance Malaria Microscopy Training; Malaria Program
Management Orientation and Training for the rural health unit (RHU) staff; and Data
Utilization Training. Also, there are the Clinical Management for Uncomplicated and
Severe Malaria and the Malaria Epidemic Management.

Lastly, health services are leveraged through the provision of anti-malaria commodities.
Partner Organization/Agencies:

The following organizations/agencies take part in achieving the goals of Malaria Control
Program:
  Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc, (PSFI)
  
Roll Back Malaria (RBM); World Health Organization (WHO)
  
Act Malaria Foundation, Inc
  
Field Epidemiology Training Program Alumni Foundation, Inc. (FETPAFI)
  
Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM)
  
University of the Philippines-College of Public Health (UP-CPH)
 
Philippine Malaria Network

  Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)

  
Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN)
  
Malaria Elimination Group (MEG)
Local Government Units (LGUs)