Malaria cases decline dramatically in South

DAVAO CITY—A dramatic decrease in the number of malaria cases in Southern Mindanao indicated that the campaign against the mosquito-borne infectious disease in the region was gaining ground, according to a top Department of Health (DOH) official.

“This is a remarkable decline. We will see the day when malaria is wiped out in the region,” Health Undersecretary Vicente Belizario Jr. told reporters here on Wednesday.

From 5,816 cases in the whole Davao region in 2001, Belizario said the number was just 67 in 2014. He credited the help of local government units, nongovernment organizations and communities in the four Davao provinces and Compostela Valley for the sharp decline.

Malaria is a potentially deadly disease passed on to humans by mosquitoes. Patients suffer high fever and chills.

Over a decade ago, malaria was among the leading 10 killer diseases not only in the region but in the whole country. Belizario said the focus was no longer on malaria control but on the elimination of the disease.

“These are the gains of the government’s malaria control, and I hope all provinces will be declared malaria-free soon,” he added, citing the cooperation between the DOH and various sectors for the reversal of the trend.

Despite the dramatic gains in the campaign against malaria, health workers are continuing with their jobs of eliminating the disease, particularly in far-flung areas, said Abdullah Dumama Jr., DOH director for Southern Mindanao.

Dumama pointed out that in Davao City, cases were still being reported in Marilog District. That could change very soon, he said. Judy Quiros, Inquirer Mindanao