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Saturday, September 2, 2017
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ILOILO – This province remains free from filarial parasites, according to surveys in selected sites where cases of lymphatic filariasis where previously recorded.
Results of the nocturnal blood survey in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao town in 2016 and the transmission assessment survey on 3,192 grades 1 and 2 pupils of select public schools in Iloilo just this July 2017 were all negative.
“This is something we are proud of and will continue to sustain,” said Provincial Health Officer Patricia Grace Trabado during Iloilo’s celebration of milestones on lymphatic filariasis elimination at Casa Real de Iloilo early this week.
The World Health Organization described lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, as a painful and disfiguring disease causing temporary or permanent disability. It is caused by three species of thread-like nematode worms known as filariae – Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori.
These worms form “nests” in the human lymphatic system, the network of nodes and vessels that maintain the delicate fluid balance between blood and body tissues.
Iloilo has maintained its filariasis-free status for two years now since 2015 when the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed cases of the disease in the province.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. recognized key health personnel, some of them now retired, for helping keep Iloilo filariasis-free.
Among others, he cited retired medical technologist Merlene Doloria, the previous filariasis program coordinator of the Provincial Health Office, for reaching out to infected communities some of which were far-flung.
Defensor also recognized the expertise of medical technologists Nelson Gabata and Mae Fatima Singalivo of Dr. Ricardo Y. Ladrido Memorial District Hospital in Lambunao. They identified the microfilaria, leading to the confirmation of the first case of lymphatic filariasis in Iloilo in 2006.
The mass drug administration, the strategy used to eliminate and prevent the transmission of filarial parasites, started in 2008.
Defensor said the milestones achieved in the elimination of lymphatic filariasis must serve as blueprint in achieving the same in the case of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue.
Being a lymphatic filariasis-free province, DOH granted Iloilo a P1-million incentive. Part of the funds was used as cash rewards to outstanding municipal health offices with the highest coverage of mass drug administration.
The top three were Balasan (P10,000), Pototan (P7,000) and Calinog (P6,000).
The rest of the health offices in 40 municipalities received P5,000 each.
In the Philippines, the elimination of lymphatic filariasis started in 2001 in 44 endemic provinces, including Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique in Western Visayas. (Jezza Nepomoceno, Iloilo Capitol/PN)
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