Loren: Rolling back malaria is everybody's concern

Sen. Loren Legarda yesterday urged the people to declare war on malaria, one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines, by cleaning their environment and eliminating the disease-spreading mosquitoes.

"If health is wealth, then we had better show our concern by contributing whatever we could to prevent malaria from routing us all," said Loren, on the occasion of the celebration of World Malaria Day Saturday.

The chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Loren lauded the "the global effort to provide effective control of malaria around the world."

"While the government's prompt response to this concern is necessary, people should not forget to contribute in its prevention," she said, noting that malaria is the eighth leading cause of death in the country.

According to Loren, more than 90% of malaria cases nationwide are found in 25 of the 65 endemic provinces. These areas, based on the national malaria strategy overview of 2003, are among the poorest in the country and have a high percentage of indigenous peoples.

Loren said the RBM (roll back malaria) program must be focused on these endemic-prone areas to help stem malaria and get the country moving in line with the world's bid of "delivering effective and affordable protection and treatment to all people at risk of malaria" as called for by the United Nations.

"We ought to show our deep concern in this fight. It doesn't matter where you are, whether you are in government, in a company, or in charitable institutions, in school, in church, in recreational institutions," said Loren, "health is a key factor for the country and the world to achieve the Millennium Development Goals."

The government must do its part by disseminating information on how to kill mosquitoes, and by providing more access to health care, anti-malarial drug supplies, and prompt and effective treatment.

Likewise, people living in forested and swampy areas where mosquitoes often thrive must be encouraged to use insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), Loren advised.

Owing to its having thick forest, Palawan has got the highest percentage of reported malaria cases in 2003 with 16,897 cases or 39 percent of the total number of cases.