Davao City continues to be a model of public health excellence after being declared malaria-free in 2021, according to Melodina Babante, the City Health Office’s Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Division Coordinator.
Babante, in an interview with city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio, said that since the declaration, endemic districts, including Paquibato and Marilog, have not reported any malaria cases.
She emphasized that the designation was the result of consistent and collaborative efforts between the local government, health professionals, and the community, especially in the preventive measures, which include prompt diagnosis, vector control, and information education campaigns.
She also said that while local transmissions have been eliminated, health officials remain vigilant against imported malaria cases among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), especially those returning from Nigeria, Sudan, and Papua New Guinea.
She said there was one imported case in 2021, two in 2022, two in 2023, three in 2024, and one as of this month this year from Papua New Guinea.
“Fortunately, katong na detect nato nga mga OFWs nga nagkaroon og Malaria na treat na sila, then na follow-up na para ma-ensure nato ang ilahang safety bago sila mubalik sa ilahang trabaho (Fortunately, the OFWs with malaria that we identified were treated and monitored so that we could make sure they were safe before they resumed their employment. ),” she said.
She also said that although malaria is a deadly disease, it has medications, unlike dengue which has no specific treatment. The symptoms include colds, chills, persistent fever, vomiting, headache, weakness, paleness, and stomach pain.
She also said that the CHO’s Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Division visits and monitors barangays, especially those in Marilog and Paquibato districts, where they conduct blood smears or mass blood survey. They also coordinate with the Department of Health to conduct Vector Mapping activity.
Babante also encourages barangays to create their own mosquito-borne disease task force to help the CHO in the prevention and intervention of any mosquito-borne diseases. CIO
