Malaria-free Cordillera roadmap is on schedule

‘Through unified efforts, we can eliminate malaria in Cordillera, in line with the country’s goal to be Malaria-free by 2020.’

This was stated by the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health and Development (CHD-CAR) Entomologist II Ursula Segundo, in a Kapihan Media Forum, in line with the observance of Malaria Awareness Month this November.


According to Segundo, based on their data, Cordillera shows a significant decrease in recorded malaria cases in the region. “From the 4,095 cases recorded in 2002, malaria cases were down to 20 in 2010, a 99 percent decrease”, she said.

Segundo also reported that based on their 2010 data, the provinces of Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province remains to have malaria cases with three, one, two, and 14 cases, respectively. For this year, only three confirmed cases from Kalinga have been reported so far.

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Abra has no recorded malaria cases since 2009 and Benguet has already been declared a Malaria-free province since 2009, she added.

Segundo also affirmed that they are on track in eliminating malaria in the region. “Basta magtulong-tulong tayo as a region, we are very hopeful that the endemic areas in Cordillera can become Malaria-free,” she said.

The main strategy of the Health Department in eradicating malaria is the distribution of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (kulambo) especially in endemic areas. According to Segundo, through the assistance of Global Fund, they have already distributed 50,000 of these nets in 2010 and as an augmentation, the DOH also purchased 10,000 more, which are on standby and ready for distribution.

She also stressed that the DOH focus on monitoring the nearby regions to prevent the importation of malaria cases in Cordillera. “People who are working or moving in and out of malaria endemic areas in the nearby regions are also susceptible to get afflicted and import it back to the already malaria-free areas here in the region,” Segundo stressed.

Meantime, Segundo also announced that they will be launching the regional Malaria Awareness Month program in Kalinga on November 24 with activities such as discussions on how to maintain the low status of malaria in Cordillera and on how to eventually totally eliminate it.(PIA/by Lito Dar)

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