Health dept conducts tests in Palawan's malaria-stricken IP communities

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=7&rid=944959
• Thursday, December 1, 2016

(PNA), CVL/DOH-MIMAROPA-PR/LSJ/EDS

MANILA, Dec. 1 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) in the MIMAROPA region, together with provincial and local health officials, has conducted anti-malaria activities among indigenous communities in Palawan province following a spike in the incidence of the disease in one of its municipalities.

The anti-malaria activities were done in Sitio Cabangaan, Barangay Imulnod, Brooke’s Point, Palawan as Malaria Awareness Day was celebrated last Nov. 29, the DOH said in a release issued Thursday.

The anti-malaria activities during the one-day event included blood smear test, Rapid Diagnostic Test, Immunochromatographic Test for Filariasis, and deworming. Long-lasting insecticide nets were also given to 1,000 families. Garantisadong Pambata T-shirts were distributed to children and hygiene kits to every head of the family.

MIMAROPA consists of the island provinces of Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.

“Malaria must be diagnosed and treated promptly to keep the illness from progressing and prevent further spread of infection in the community. The regional office continues its massive malaria prevention and control, such as the continuing misting/spraying complemented with indoor residual spraying and clearing operations in endemic areas, in cooperation with LGUs, to significantly reduce the spread of cases,” said DOH Regional Director Eduardo Janairo.

Janairo urged everyone, especially those in areas where malaria is endemic, to submit themselves for blood tests to confirm their status and provide timely care and treatment.

“Malaria is everyone’s responsibility and the cooperation of every member of the community is vital in elimination efforts,” he added.

According to the DOH-MIMAROPA Regional Epidemiological Unit (RESU), from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31 this year, malaria cases in Brooke’s Point reached 1,275, up 17 percent compared to 1,092 cases in the same period last year.

The barangays with the highest number of cases were Imulnod with 386; Mainit (153); Aribungos (139); Amas (132); and Salogon (99).

In Palawan, a total of 5,068 confirmed cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to Oct. 30, and the top five municipalities with malaria cases were Rizal, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Balabac and Quezon.

Malaria, the ninth leading cause of death in the country, is caused by a parasite called plasmodium which is transmitted by the anopheles mosquito that thrives in hard-to-reach areas such as hills, mountains and coastal areas. Malaria transmission is perennial and is usually higher during the rainy season.

High-risk groups include upland farmers, forest workers, indigenous people and settlers in mountainous areas, such as migrant agricultural workers; and children below five years old and women.

The increase in malaria cases was attributed to insufficient knowledge about the disease, shortage of Random Drug Tests, itinerant habits of the IPs, wrong beliefs and customs about the disease, and poverty.