20 Years of Movement Against Malaria
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Kilusan Ligtas Malaria, the precursor of Movement Against Malaria (MAM). Pilipinas Shell, through Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), championed this health program, initially in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Provincial Government of Palawan, to ensure the elimination of malaria in the Province.
Shrinking the Malaria Map in the Philippines
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Kilusan Ligtas Malaria, the precursor of Movement Against Malaria (MAM). Pilipinas Shell, through Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), championed this health program, initially in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Provincial Government of Palawan, to ensure the elimination of malaria in the Province.
The successful initial run in Palawan inspired a series of funding grants from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (The Global Fund); governments; and more private donors, including Pilipinas Shell. The program has since been expanded to cover most provinces in the country. Using the same model that proved effective in Palawan, MAM is now being implemented in partnership with not just the DOH but also Local Government Units (LGUs) across the country.
Our combined efforts have resulted in bringing down malaria incidence in the country. At the end of 2019, out of 81 provinces in the country, 60 have been recognized as malaria free, 18 have reached zero (elimination phase and waiting to be declared malaria-free), leaving only three (3) provinces with local transmission. These are Palawan (5,618 cases), Sultan Kudarat (15 cases), and Occidental Mindoro (2 cases).
- Sebastian Quiniones Jr., PSFI Executive Director“The mission to help communities does not stop until 100% elimination is achieved”
To celebrate two decades of milestones that mark the fight against malaria, “Fortress,” an art installation from renowned contemporary fine artist Leeroy New, will be exhibited in front of The Finance Centre until April 2020. Commissioned by the Shell Companies in the Philippines (SciP), the artwork creatively weaves together used anti-mosquito nets collected from the malaria-affected areas to symbolize the continuing struggle. It also embodies hope, as the installation serves as a reminder, says New, that “we can fight against the deadly infection and win.”
With close collaboration between the public and private sector, the Philippines is expected to achieve its target to be malaria-free by 2030. “The mission to help communities does not stop until 100% elimination is achieved,” says PSFI Executive Director Sebastian Quiniones Jr.
What we have done so far
60
Provinces now malaria-free
2,200
Facilities provided with antimalarial drugs & laboratory supplies
18
Provinces with zero malaria (awaiting malaria-free declaration)
10,000
Health providers trained
3
Provinces with indigenous malaria
382,214
Pregnancy kits distributed
10,021,121
Mosquito nets distributed
2,023
Volunteers performing village diagnosis and treatment
653,259
Mosquito nets retreated
12.5M
Beneficiaries (2019)
2,635,592
Houses sprayed vs. mosquitoes
USD74.95M The Global Fund Grant
(2006 to 2019) through PSFI
