Locals use microscopes to identify and treat malaria

In the Philippines, the isolation of villages or ‘barangay’ as they are known, deep in the forest or in the mountains, makes it difficult for patients with malaria symptoms to seek medical help. Malaria seriously affects six million of the country’s population of 72 million. The Global Fund is helping to achieve the national goal of a malaria-free Philippines by 2020 through support to the Tropical Disease Foundation and the Pilipinas Shell Foundation by giving the responsibility for diagnosis and treatment to locals.

Nearly 300 women from remote villages have been trained to use a microscope to detect the presence of malaria by identifying the parasite from a blood smear. Some have no education, but their skill in detecting disease in their local community is helping to save lives. Hundreds of microscope centers have been set up around the country. Enabling locals, with no prior medical training, to help in the fight against malaria is drastically reducing the number of people getting sick and dying from the disease.

Marvi Trudeau, Program Manager for Philipinas Shell Foundation describes the work of local health workers, called Barangay Malaria Microscopists. Interview in English Windows Media | MP3 | Transcript

Luz Escubil, Program manager for field operations of the malaria project, Tropical Disease Foundation explains the importance of having people on hand in remote areas with the technical skills necessary to detect and treat malaria. Interview in English Windows Media | MP3 | Transcript