Stories of inspiration
Hero from Home:
Fighting Malaria at the Frontier
April 24, 2023

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) began its partnership with the Provincial Government of Palawan to launch the Kilusan Ligtas Malaria (KLM) in 1999, now the program is known as the Movement Against Malaria (MAM). MAM is a community-based Malaria control program that aims to contribute to the control and elimination of Malaria through community organizing, awareness-raising, capability building, research, advocacy, and networking strategies.
Charito L. Fuerte, or Charry, was among the 50,869 Filipinos afflicted with Malaria in 2001. She is now one of the most seasoned volunteer microscopists in Brgy. Candawaga, Rizal, Palawan. Although, at the time, she was a 30-yr old mother and housewife suffering from the symptoms of a potentially fatal illness.

Charito “Charry” Fuerte (right most) conducts Malaria-control activities on-site
After recovering, Charry eagerly volunteered to train as a microscopist at KLM to
help diagnose Malaria. She witnessed friends and family enduring the same
difficulties she experienced—having severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, and
being unable to care for their families.
“Hindi ako nagdalawang-isip dahil alam kong kailangan ako ng mga kapitbahay,
ng community, dahil naranasan ko kung gaano kahirap ang magkasakit ng
malaria.”

Charry conducts a slide examination at one of her assigned sites.

Charry, together with other volunteers, complete a refresher course on Malaria Microscopy.

Charry and team on their way to do Active Case Detection (ACD) in Rizal, Palawan
“Kung mahal mo ang trabaho at nakikita mo kung sino pinaglilingkuran mo, talagang matutuwa ka at talagang kahit pagod na, kailangan marating mo yung lugar para sa pangangailangan ng iyong mga kababayan.”

Stream clearing in Tagpas, Rizal, Palawan

Charry (in red) leads a blood smearing activity during the Malaria Awareness Day on May 22, 2015 in Bgy. Latud, Rizal, Palawan
Around 24 years since the start of KLM/MAM, Malaria cases have decreased by 94% and as of last year, no deaths caused by the illness have been reported. Charry humbly thanks PSFI and communities who trusted her and fellow volunteers, while taking pride in her unique contributions.

Charry (in red) leads a blood smearing activity during the Malaria Awareness Day on May 22, 2015 in Bgy. Latud, Rizal, Palawan
“Habang buhay, habang kaya ko, andito ako para sa Malaria program [KLM/ MAM]. ‘Noong araw kailangan ako ng pamilya ko dahil nag-aaral mga anak ko, hindi ako sumuko. Ngayon pa na malalaki na mga anak ko, na kailangan din ako ng mga kapatid nating nasa laylayan ng lipunan?’ — ‘yan ang nasa isip ko.”

“Sama-sama nating sugpuin ang Malaria, dapat makialam tayo at makiisa,”
is her call to action—an effort to encourage others to also see fellow Filipinos as their own kapatid in need.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, March 22). CDC – Malaria – about malaria – faqs. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html#:~:text=What%20is
%20malaria%3F,%2C%20and%20flu%2Dlike%20illness.
Department of Health. (2016, January 13). Philippine Health Statistics 2001: Department of Health Website. Philippine Health
Statistics 2001 |
Department of Health website. Retrieved April 2023, from https://doh.gov.ph/node/2731
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Eliminating Malaria Case Study 6: Progress towards subnational elimination in the
Philippines. Retrieved April 2023, from https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/668183/retrieve
Tags: Health & Safety, Movement Against Malaria
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