Bontoc, Mtn. Prov. – The Department of Health (DOH) central office has awarded Mountain Province in recognition of its efforts in maintaining its status as a malaria-free province during the 6th Neglected Tropical Diseases Stakeholders’ Forum last September 12-13, 2018.
Dr. Raffy A. Deray, head, DOH – Infectious Diseases for Elimination Division handed the award to Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., and Mountain Province Provincial Health Officer Nenita D. Lizardo at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.
It can be recalled that Mountain Province was declared by the DOH-CAR as a malaria-free province during the celebration of World Malaria Day last year. The result of the DOH evaluation of malaria situation in the province confirmed that there was no single indigenous case in the last five years. The last reported indigenous cases were in Paracelis and Natonin in 2010 while there were two imported cases (Bauko and Tadian) in 2013 and one (Bauko) in 2010.
Dr. Lizardo attributed the award to the continuous support of the Local Government Units to the health sector in the province which consequently resulted in the management and sustaining of malaria program in their respective localities.
She said that this is the outcome of the efforts of the past and present leaders including countless individuals and stakeholders who worked closely with the DOH and non-government organizations that were funded by the World Health Organization.
Their partnership resulted in the establishment of diagnostic laboratory including medical technologists that were trained in malaria microscopy. As aligned with the guidelines contained in the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, epidemic investigations were conducted and response teams were organized to undertake epidemic response and management in instances of epidemics.
Lizardo said that the different LGUs provided available vector control logistics support for any occurrences of outbreak and anti-malarial drugs for imported cases. She added that the Provincial Health Office and DOH have partnered with concerned agencies for the continuous implementation of intensive health education and advocacy on malaria prevention and control.
The assessment of a province to be declared as malaria-free requires data records review, field visit evaluation at the health facility and community and mosquito-vector collection.
Mountain Province has maintained and complied with the National Malaria Program’s strategies and interventions such as early diagnosis and prompt treatment, continuous vector surveillance and control, malaria case surveillance and epidemic management and ensuring the quality of services through quality assurance system.
Governor Lacwasan, in an interview, thanked the DOH, the people comprising the local health sector, the different provincial, municipal officials and barangay officials and the different stakeholders whose efforts and cooperation led to the success of the endeavor.
“The award shows our determination to deliver quality health services considering the limited resources of our place as compared to other provinces. I am proud to inform our constituents that Mountain Province is the lone province in CAR to receive the national honor,” the governor said.
The chief executive also urged the different stakeholders for the continuance of their efforts to sustain the province’s malaria-free status.
“With everyone’s cooperation and with the unending support of our partners in the national, regional and provincial offices of the DOH, we will continue to work closely with all entities through our Provincial Health Board towards the continuance and further enhancement of our programs against the disease and all other diseases which may pose danger to our people,” Lacwasan said. **Erwin S. Batnag and Novy R. Afidchao