ABI’S MALARIA CONTROL PROGRAM NOW IN ZAMBALES ENDEMIC AREAS

Subic, Zambales – IP communities from malaria endemic areas in Subic and San Marcelino, Zambales welcomes the Malaria Control Program of the Advocates for Community Health, Incorporated (ACHI) and the Alay Bayan, Incorporated (ABI).

According to Dr. Eulalia M. Botin, ACHI Program Coordinator, the program aims to equip Community Health Workers (CHW) in the early diagnosis of malaria. “The program is more on prevention and that the program activities were designed to develop the knowledge, skills and attitude of community people in handling malaria cases and lobbying for health services particularly in far-flung malaria endemic communities”, Botin added.

Ms. Lorena R. Villareal, ABI Project Officer, expressed that the Malaria Management Training (MMT) held in the first quarter of 2011 participated-in by twenty six (26) IP community members and CHW trainees once again proved that members of the indigenous communities have the capacity to address factors rendering them vulnerable to disasters like health concerns. Ms. Villareal added that the program is in line with ABI’s Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Program.

Among the topics discussed in the Malaria Management trainings are:

1) Life Cycle of Malaria Parasite

2) Causes of Malaria

3) Epidemiology of Malaria

4) Pathophysiology

5) Signs and Symptoms

6) Differential Diagnosis

7) Diagnosing patients with Malaria

8) Treatment and

9) Prevention.

The training resulted in the formation of Malaria Brigades that will implement the plan to help prevent malaria outbreaks in their areas.