Malaria Eradication Program + Travel Tips

Community nursing is one of my favorite subjects in college. It was quite challenging but the experience is truly amazing. Community immersion provided learning opportunities both personal and shared experiences from the people we met along the way.

Mt. Kitanglad Forest

How can I forget our community immersion several years ago. Living with locals for more than a month, sharing the food in the table and living with the local. It was truly a memorable experience. As part of our program, we provided community outreach and education to parents and their children. We visited public schools and teach them basic hygiene to prevent various health-related concerns and problems.

One thing that we educate people in far-flung areas is proper sanitation to prevent, control and eliminate dengue and malaria mosquitoes.

Dr. Raffy Deray, Malaria Coordinator DOH, Edgar Veron Cruz, Exec. Director Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., Marvi Trudeau, Pilipinas Shell Foundation

There are still cases of malaria in the country but we are glad that through the efforts of the government and some private sectors, a significant drop in cases of malaria in the Philippines has been reported. In the recent Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, the Department of Health (DOH) national Malaria coordinator Dr. Raffy Deray stressed that the Philippines is on its way to becoming Malaria-free.

Malaria Control Program

In 1999, one of the most successful anti-Malaria program in Palawan was initiated by Pilipinas Shell Foundation (PSFI).

Initially referred to as the Kilusan Ligtas Malaria (KLM), the program got off the ground with a Php36-million grant from Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) with a province of Palawan as its starting point.

"When we saw the biggest problem of Palawan was its malaria situation, we in PSFI decided to address this issue and started KLM immediately" Edgar Veron Cruz, PSFI Executive Director, revealed.

The project covers early diagnosis and prompt treatment, vector control, social mobilization and advocacy, and an information drive and communications for behavioral change. In 2006, malaria cases in Palawan had dropped to about 12,000 with 21 deaths. Impressed, the Swiss-based Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, decided to support the program which was then renamed Movement Against Malaria or MAM.

From then on, the number of malaria cases continued to decline steadily, and what was an initiative in Palawan, became a nationwide anti-malaria program. Cruz also added that they are also working together with the DOH in setting up elimination hubs in 83 provinces which will be supplied with stockpile of medicines and manned with qualified workers.


"In almost 20 years of fighting malaria, the PSFI has achieved something that no corporation or group in the country ever has" noted PSFI Program Manager Marvi Trudeau. "There are now only seven (7) provinces that still have malaria cases including Palawan." she added.

"The Pilipinas Shell Foundation will continue to work with the government in order to fight malaria. Our timeline is to aim for total eradication in 2030." Trudeau declared.


Travel Tips on How to Prevent Malaria

1. Avoid mountainous areas especially those with known cases of malaria.
2. Avoid mosquito bites
3. Wear long sleeves and pajamas at night when going to bed.
4. Keep your surroundings clean.
5. Immediately consult a doctor when there's a flu-like symptom such as fever, muscle pain, rash, etc.

The main insect vector of malaria in the Philippines is the female mosquito known as Anopheles mosquito. It bites between 9pm to 5am. Malaria can be found in red blood cell of infected person and can be transmitted through blood transfusion. Blood test will confirm presence of malaria.