Malaria still endemic in 59 provinces - DOH

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health on Friday said malaria is still endemic in 59 out of the 81 provinces of the country. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, however, said cases of malaria are going down, adding that the government is doing its best to achieve a malaria-free country. "Although the Philippines does not contribute significantly to the global death toll of malaria, this does not mean that we can be complacent at our task," Duque said. Health department records show that in 2006, there were 35,405 cases of malaria in the country that led to 122 deaths. The figure is lower than the registered cases and deaths in 2005, Duque said. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Palawan and several provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao continue to be threatened by malaria. "It means that there are still a number of our countrymen who are at risk and suffering, and this situation is unconscionable," Duque said during the observance of the World Malaria Day in Manila. Malaria affects about 11 million people in rural areas in the Philippines where access to health care is scarce. Also on Friday, the Health department recognized the efforts of six provinces that were declared malaria-free. These are Samar, Albay, Marinduque, Eastern Samar, Sorsogon and Surigao del Norte. - GMANews.TV