QUEZON CITY - The Province of Apayao was among the 16 provinces that were given recognition for managing a Malaria-free status from years 2019-2022 by the Department of Health (DOH) during the Malaria -Free Awarding Ceremony at the Monet Ballroom, Novotel on April 25.
The province has achieved the mark of being malaria-free for posting zero local transmission of the disease in the past five years.
DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire led the activity that put the local government units in limelight for their immense efforts in reducing the number of malaria cases in their areas. This likewise highlighted the country's efforts in combating the disease.
Malaria is a life-threatening but curable and preventable disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Apayao Provincial Health Officer Dr. Mark Joleen Calban, in his speech, capitalized on the strategies of the province in achieving the zero-free malaria status which include communication for behavioral impact, vector control, and education among yApayaos.
The health officer also emphasized the sustainability measures that the province implemented that greatly contributed to sustaining the good record.
"We have different sustainability measures that we considered, these are establishment of malaria diagnostic centers, conduct of casefinding activities, and conduct of entomological surveillance, and strengthened surveillance system," Calban said before the attendees of the awarding.
Meanwhile, OIC Secretary Vergeire urged that program management to be expanded through ongoing research in order to give fresh and evidence-based treatment. She also promoted innovations in diagnosis, treatment, vector control, and other areas.
Moreover, she also emphasized the necessity to solve the technical issues that arise when implementing malaria services. One of the principles of UHC is to build local health systems, increase the capacity of local staff, establish procedures and protocols, and operationalize structures in order to create a sustainable malaria elimination roadmap for the Philippines. These stages are crucial in realizing this goal.
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