Bulacan supports Malaria Free Philippines in 2030

The Provincial Government of Bulacan promoted and expressed full support to the Malaria Free Philippines by 2030 advocacy of the Department of Health (DOH) during the observation of the World Malaria Day held at Angat Hydro Power Corporation (Formerly Hilltop), Norzagaray, Bulacan recently.

 Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado visions a zero malaria case in Bulacan by 2020 and sent a message for the participants of the advocacy through Provincial Administrator Eugenio Payongayong saying that the province is making an effort to fight the said disease.

 “Bilang inyong lingkod na punong panlalawigan, ako po ay lubos na nakikiisa upang maisakatuparan ang isang malaria free na Pilipinas. Ang kalusugan ay mahalaga at kung ito’y mapipinsala, ito’y magiging hadlang upang tayo’y mabuhay ng masaya, masagana at maunlad. Therefore, I say yes to Malaria Free Philippines,” said Alvarado.

 Bulakenyos from different barangays of Norzagaray, City of San Jose del Monte, San Miguel, Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT) and some of the Dumagat tribes participated in the advocacy talk and expressed their preference to combat malaria, which is a disease caused by a mosquito called anopheles that mostly affects rural areas of the country.

 Dr. Rhodora Cruz, head of Department of Health - Regional Malaria Control and Elimination Program, discussed the cause and effects of malaria and the symptoms of the disease. She also talked about how to prevent the deathly illness.

 “Pagsusuka, pagkahilo at kulay kape na ihi ang mga sintomas ng malaria. Kailangan magkulambo, magsuot ng mahahabang pantulog at iwasan ang mga maduduming patubigan. Nagbibigay rin ang mga LGU at health workers ng indoor residual spraying,” explained Cruz.

 Beatrice Hamisola, a Dumagat from DRT and Tribal Health Worker, said that she appreciates the help of the province and different municipalities in teaching them how to prevent and cure malaria cases.

 “Mabuti na may ganitong programa para alam namin kung paano maiiwasan ang malaria at nagpapasalamat kami ng lubos sa lalawigan na natutulungan kaming mahihirap na mabigyan ng libreng tulong upang magamot ang malaria,” said Hamisola.

 Cruz added that the province provided great efforts in the advocacy that made the number of malaria cases in Central Luzon to decline from 2,000 to 100 in 2014.

 Meanwhile, 56,000 malaria cases in the Philippines were reported last 2004 but the number also decreased to 5,937 in 2014.

 Participating organizations and local government units also received certificate of recognitions for their efforts to eliminate the said disease.

 The observation was made possible through the efforts and initiative of the Provincial Public Health Office with the cooperation of DOH, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. and Armed Forces of the Philippines to achieve the goals of Malaria Control Program.