‘Filariasis can create adverse impact on one’s productivity’
The disability that will bring lymphatic filariasis to a person has an adverse impact on his productivity and or wage-earning capacity.
This was emphasized by health officials who were guests of the PIA cable TV program recently as they appealed for public’s cooperation and support to the government’s health program in order to achieve the filaria-free status.
Lymphatic Filariasis causes elephantiasis, an abnormal enlargement of the limbs (legs or arms) and of the genitals.
Dr. Maria Socorro of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, said the prevention of this disease can only be achieved through mass drug administration.
Lymphatic filariasis is a severely debilitating and stigmatizing disease caused by parasitic worms. These worms lodge in the lymphatic system – the network of nodes and vessels that maintain the fluid balance between the tissues and blood – which is an essential component of the body’s immune system.
Dr. Fabian Mabasa, regional filarial and dengue medical coordinator of DOH 6, said that the mass drug administration in Iloilo is now on its third round, while first for the provinces of Aklan and Antique, and second round for Capiz province.
“Vital to the success of the campaign is the strong and committed leadership of the government and the dedication of health workers, as well as the ownership of the program by local communities,” Mabasa said.
Merlyn Doloria, provincial filariasis coordinator of Iloilo Provincial Health Office, said that the mass administration for Iloilo started late September and to culminate on November.
Doloria said that while the campaign on filariasis eradication is usually observed in the month of November, we have decided to start the mass drug administration earlier so that we could achieve bigger coverage.
She lamented that during the first round of mass drug administration in year 2008, only 65 percent coverage was achieved due to people’s apprehensions and lack knowledge on filariasis, and only 66 percent was achieved on the second round.
She expressed optimism on the community’s full participation this time, as she assured the public that they have nothing to fear because the medicines coming from the World Health Organization are safe and effective, and is being used in 83 countries in the world, and in 41 provinces in the Philippines.*PIA6
