Pangasinan vies for WHO’s certification as malaria-free zone
LINGAYEN– The provincial government is vying for a certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) as a malaria disease free zone, confident that it will be able to sustain its zero case until the end of this year.
This was disclosed by provincial health officer, Dr. Anna De Guzman, during the 5th Annual Provincial Health Summit and 2014 LGU Scorecard Awarding Ceremony on November 6, 2015 held at the Sison Auditorium.
Pangasinan, so far, has record of any malaria parasite incidence since 2011, making it a candidate for the certification which requires a five-year malaria-free case period.
The province, however, recorded malaria parasite in the past to include 18 cases in 2006, 39 in 2007, 12 in 2008, 16 in 2009, and 5 in 2010, said De Guzman.
De Guzman said the province has assumed a proactive stance to attain the malaria-free status including the active case surveillance through regular blood smearing of symptomatic patients from endemic areas, vector control measures institutionalized through the conduct of border operations, indoor residual spraying of houses, and distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets.
Meanwhile, the provincial health officer, in her report on Pangasinan Health Situation, underscored the province’s continuous enhancement of its facilities including the upgrade of diagnostic services.
Governor Amado Espino Jr. also allotted 25% of the total budget of the province to health care, making health the top priority of his administration.
“Walang papantay sa ginagawa ng provincial government dito sa buong Pilipinas in regard health system, particularly on preventive measures and necessary trainings,” he remarked.
Several provinces have already visited Pangasinan to benchmark its health care system.
Apart from the report on health situation, the province recognized its best performing local government units and inter-local health zones during the event.
Special awards were also given to LGUs for their attainment of millenium development goals nos. 1 (eradicate extreme poverty and hunger), 4 (reduce child mortality), and 5 (improve maternal health). (Johanne Macob)
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