An intensified strengthening of local response and health systems to consolidate the gains in malaria control in rural Philippines through public private partnership

Malaria is controlled in many parts of the Philippines but remains highly endemic in some, including some very remote regions of the country. The program supported by this grant aims to reduce malaria-related illness by 70 percent in the 21 covered provinces and to achieve zero deaths from malaria in the covered provinces by 2011. The program targets the socially and economically disadvantaged of the Pilipino population, including those living in remote areas, indigenous people, subsistence upland farmers, settlers in frontier areas and workers in the forest industry where malaria is endemic. Grant funds are being used to build capacity in malaria diagnosis and management of severe malaria; provide commodities for diagnosis and treatment through an innovative procurement supply management system to ensure distribution of anti-malaria drugs, laboratory supplies and rapid diagnostic test kits to hard-to-reach populations; and distribute long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets.