ILOILO CITY, (PNA) — The Department of Health, in partnership with non-government organization Coalition for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (CELF) Philippines Inc. and drug company GlaxoSmithKline, launched in this city the 5th National Oplan Tugon set October 3 and 4.
The activity aims at strengthening and promoting partnerships in the elimination of lymphatic filariasis and control of neglected tropical diseases in the country.
Health Undersecretary Nemesio Gako said that 12 provinces in the country were already declared filariasis-free while the country races to be free of the disease as a public health problem by year 2017, and in the year 2020 for global freedom.
Gako said the disease is endemic in 43 provinces in 11 regions with a prevalence rate of almost 10 percent per 1,000 population. The 20 provinces already reached elimination level as of September 2013 and the target is to decrease the prevalence rate by one percent.
There were cases in Western Visayas, particularly in the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan and Antique, and the World Health Organization and DOH established sentinel sites in Lambunao, Iloilo and Tapaz, Capiz.
The drug company is giving free albendazole drug once a year to people two years and above living in established endemic areas.
Gako said the viral disease is caused by mosquito bites that cause permanent disability and swelling of sensitive lymph nodes.
The victims are mostly from fourth to sixth class municipalities in established endemic areas, and 645,232 Filipinos were infected in 2005 while 30 million Filipinos are at risk of the disease.
Meanwhile, the chronic disease schistosomiasis caused by parasitic worms and cases were established in Calatrava, Negros Occidental.
The goal is to establish a schisto control program by reducing the disease prevalence rate by 50 percent in endemic provinces and increase the coverage of mass treatment in endemic areas.
Also, the control of ascaris and hookworms in humans is another neglected tropical disease and the DOH aims to reduce the prevalence of soil transmitted helminth (STH) to below 50 percent among 1 to 12 years old by 2010.
Gako said deworming medicines are always available in rural health units and health centers.
Deworming is recommended four times for in-school children and twice a year for 2 to 4 years old children.