Health Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo of Mimaropa has vowed no let-up in the campaign to eradicate Malaria in the region, especially in the province of Palawan.
“We have to strengthen our strategies and approaches in the elimination of malaria in the region, first is that community intervention must be sustained such as regular cleanup drives and information dissemination activities,” said Janairo.
He said both public and private schools must be protected and fitted with Olyset-treated nets and third, all individuals must be tested by blood to confirm whether an individual is malaria carrier or not,” Janairo emphasized.
According to the 2017 Provincial Malaria Data of Palawan, the top five municipalities with the most number of cases are Rizal with 1,294; Balabac with 686; Bataraza–656; Brooke’s Point–360; Quezon–142; and Puerto Princesa City with 91 cases.
From January 1 to November 30, 2017, there are a total of 3,360 positive cases out of the 146, 256 patients tested in Palawan. A significant decrease of 45.21 percent from the 6,132 cases reported for the same period last year.
“This figure is a great improvement in our fight against malaria, but then again these are all figures. Data speaks but it does not mean anything unless you go down to the affected communities and personally see to it that there are no existing malaria cases,” Janairo said
Marinduque in 2008 and Romblon in 2012 are the only two out of five provinces in Mimaropa which are declared Malaria Free. Oriental Mindoro has zero case since 2012 and for assessment at the end of this year.
Palawan and Occidental Mindoro are still malaria endemic provinces but with remarkable decrease in cases noted since 2011.
“We will provide all support to attain our objective of eliminating malaria by 2020 or sooner. We will ensure that every resident of these affected municipalities will be malaria-free,” hd said.
“We have all the studies, the data and the resources needed at we have already started implementing these strategies,” he adddx.