Question & AnswerQ&A (DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2009-0001)
The main purpose is to provide revised policy and guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of malaria in the Philippines, aiming to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality by updating the first-line drug treatment to artemether-lumefantrine (AL) combination therapy and ensuring effective diagnosis and treatment nationwide.
The artemether-lumefantrine (AL) combination is adopted as the first-line treatment for confirmed uncomplicated and severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
Health workers or practitioners include physicians, nurses, midwives, barangay health workers, and malaria microscopists trained in the diagnosis and treatment of malaria.
DOH-NCDPC is responsible for overall execution, dissemination, advocacy, coordination of management systems, training, procurement and distribution of anti-malarial drugs, ensuring quality assurance, monitoring compliance, and resource lobbying related to the policy.
Malaria diagnosis should primarily be through microscopy, considered the gold standard, and where unavailable, quality-controlled Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits may be used.
DOT refers to the daily supervised intake of the prescribed antimalarial drugs by a health worker or treatment partner, specifically the supervision of the first 3-day doses of AL treatment.
Provincial/City Health Offices within Local Government Units are mandated to provide counterpart funding for these purposes.
It applies to all national, regional, and local government offices, public and private health facilities, NGOs, development partners, and other stakeholders contributing to malaria prevention and control in the Philippines.
BHWs are tasked with case finding and supervising treatment, observing intake of first-line anti-malarial medicines, mobilizing community participation in malaria prevention, reporting adverse reactions, conducting follow-up smears, and submitting regular reports.
Remaining unexpired stocks of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) must be used before fully shifting to artemether-lumefantrine (AL) as the first-line treatment.