Australia Pledges $1.5M To Assist Philippines With Malaria Control Efforts

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Tony Hely on Tuesday announced that Australia has pledged $870,100 for 2005 and $674,610 for 2006 to support efforts to control malaria in the Philippines, the Manila Bulletin reports. The pledge reflects Australia's commitment to the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, Hely said. According to the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 11 million people in the Philippines are at risk of contracting malaria. Although the country saw a 60% decline in malaria cases between 1990 and 2001, the number of cases increased in 2002 and 2003, according to NCDPC (Manongdo, Manila Bulletin, 11/30). Malaria is most prevalent in the provinces of Palawan, Apayao, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Quirino, which account for more than 67% of all cases and 92% of malaria-related deaths, according to World Health Organization data (Inquirer News Service, 11/30). Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the country has scaled up malaria control efforts and disease surveillance by increasing training for health workers and stockpiling insecticide-treated nets, larvae-killing chemicals and chemical sprays (Manila Bulletin, 11/30).