Community-Based Health Care Program - Malaria Control Project
A collaborative effort reducing malaria cases from 1,219 in 2000 to just 3 in 2021
The Malaria Control Project (MCP) is the centerpiece of a comprehensive Community-based Health Care Program (CBHP) which is a collaboration among ENF, the municipal government of El Nido through its Rural Health Unit, and other partners. As a result of the interventions, the incidence of malaria in the municipality has dropped from a high of 1,219 cases reported in 2000 to 3 cases in 2021.
Activities include a mass information campaign promoting the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets as a safe, effective and affordable way to prevent the spread of the disease. A highlight of this campaign is the Pista ng Kulambo sa El Nido, which from its inception in 1999 has evolved into a yearly tradition much anticipated by the entire municipality. Simultaneously held with the Pista are the Gawad Pangkaunlaran, an awards competition among the 18 barangays recognizing their year-round efforts towards sustainable development; and the Tarabuan sa Caayadan, a trade fair where barangays get to showcase their respective home-grown talents and products.
Largely through its involvement in malaria control in El Nido which is considered a "best practice" in community engagement in primary health care, El Nido Foundation was elected in 2012 as Private Sector representative to the Global Fund (to Fight Aids, TB, Malaria) – Philippine Country Coordinating Mechanism (PCCM), which is mandated to oversee concept note development, proposal review, project implementation and monitoring of Global Fund projects in the Philippines.