Need for Malaria Awareness and Control
- Effective prevention and treatment are crucial, including insecticide-treated mosquito nets and early diagnosis.
- Aligns with Millennium Development Goal 6 to combat malaria and other diseases by 2015.
- Supports WHO/UNICEF strategies targeting child survival via use of treated mosquito nets.
- Included in the "FOURmula One for Health" reform strategy.
Advances and Strategies in Malaria Control
- Diagnosis, treatment, and vector control advancements make malaria preventable and curable.
- Key strategies include early diagnosis, prompt treatment, vector control, indoor residual insecticide spraying, and epidemic management.
Role of Local Government Units (LGUs)
- Decentralization under Republic Act No. 7161 devolves malaria health services to LGUs.
- Enhancing LGU program management capacity is a priority.
Declaration of November as Malaria Awareness Month
- National Malaria Control Program and stakeholders recommend November each year for awareness activities.
- Aim: to promote prevention and control behaviors, especially among high-risk groups.
Role of the Department of Health (DOH)
- Lead agency in implementing Malaria Awareness Month annually starting 2006.
- Duties include:
- Coordinating with government agencies and organizations.
- Formulating guidelines and disseminating procedures.
- Providing technical assistance to LGUs.
- Conducting advocacy and social mobilization.
- Supplying logistic support and monitoring.
- Coordinating with donor-funded programs.
Responsibilities of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Issue directives to local chief executives.
- Mobilize field offices.
- Supervise and monitor awareness and control activities.
Role of the Department of Education (DepEd)
- Integrate malaria education into the school curriculum.
- Facilitate mosquito net treatment/re-treatment via schools.
- Issue appropriate circulars.
Duties of the Department of National Defense (DND)
- Disseminate awareness circulars to military units.
- Conduct pre- and post- malaria smear tests for personnel in endemic areas.
- Provide transport and security support to health personnel.
- Manage severe malaria cases in military hospitals in partnership with DOH.
Function of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)
- Coordinate activities with Local Government Units through disaster coordinating councils at barangay, municipal, city, regional, and provincial levels.
Role of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
- Oversee and integrate public communication campaigns and advertisements related to malaria awareness.
Responsibilities of Local Government Units (LGUs)
- Lead local implementation of the campaign.
- Allocate appropriate budget and resources.
- Ensure sustained delivery of diagnosis, treatment, and vector control services.
- Coordinate with NGOs and private sectors.
- Enact local ordinances and resolutions to support the campaign.
Role of the League of Provinces, Municipalities, and Barangays
- Issue circulars and memoranda to members on local malaria awareness activities.
Role of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
- Mobilize indigenous communities' participation in awareness campaigns.
- Coordinate with local health officials.
- Support translation of informational materials into local languages.
Duties of the Department of Tourism (DOT)
- Promote malaria awareness among tourists, especially in endemic areas.
- Issue circulars to regional offices for coordination with Provincial Health Offices.
Engagement of Civil Society and Donor Partners
- NGOs, civil society, professional groups, and businesses encouraged to support through dissemination, social mobilization, and donations.
- Donor agencies urged to align support with Millennium Development Goals.
- Encouragement of integrated and collaborative malaria control programs.
Legal Authority and Implementation
- Proclamation signed by the President establishes November as Malaria Awareness Month.
- Multi-agency coordination to ensure comprehensive implementation.
- Emphasis on cooperative efforts between government, private sector, and international partners to reduce malaria burden.