The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded a concerning rise in malaria cases in the Philippines. From January to September 2023, there were 4,777 reported cases, compared to 3,207 cases during the same period in 2022. This uptick highlights the pressing need for proactive measures and public awareness to address the growing threat of malaria in the country. Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, continues to pose a significant global health challenge. In a recent media briefing, Dr Jhobert Bernal, the technical supervisor of the National Reference Laboratories for Malaria and Other Parasites, emphasised the crucial role of early detection and accurate diagnosis in preventing malaria transmission within communities. The importance of timely intervention becomes even more apparent as global malaria cases increase to 247 million in 2021, according to data from the World Health Organization.
