Movement Against Malaria e-News Vol. 7 Issue 2 (October 2012)

From MAM eNews Team


Welcome to another issue of Movement Against Malaria eNews.

The Movement Against Malaria and its implementing partners continue their intensified efforts to fight against malaria during the recently celebrated Local Chief Executives’ Meeting, wherein the next steps towards malaria elimination were thoroughly discussed to achieve the goal of eradicating malaria in the Philippines. Partner government agencies and programs, non-governmental organizations, community leaders and individuals also maintain their various efforts done in the last few months in different parts of the country.

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(Top) LGU, DOH, WHO, SciP, and PSFI representatives affix their respective logos in the LLIN.

(Bottom: L-R) Romblon Gov. Eduardo Firmalo, Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez, Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Rommel Jalosjos, Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo Uy,

Ifugao Gov. Eugene Balitang, Mountain Province Gov. Leonard Mayaen, Apayao Gov. Elias Bulut Jr., Palawan Gov. Abraham Mitra, Quirino Gov. Junie Cua, Agusan del Norte Vice Gov. Enrico Corvera.

Read these stories and more in this newest Movement Against Malaria e-News issue.

Happy reading.

Movement Against Malaria e-News Vol. 7 Issue 2 (October 2012)

The 38th Nikon Small World Top 20 Photomicrographs

Once again, be awed by the images from the winners of this year's Nikon International Small World photography contest. The competition which was launched in 1974, honors those amazing pictures taken through a microscope.

Have a glimpse of the top 20 photomicrographs that were selected for their originality, informational content, and visual impact by a panel of scientists, journalists and optical imaging experts.

First place went to the photo showing the blood-brain barrier in a live zebrafish embryo.

Check out this article on Wired.com.

Incredibly Small: Best Microscope Photos of the Year
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/10/nikon-small-world-winners/

New candidate malaria vaccine neutralises parasite strains | Wellcome Trust

New candidate malaria vaccine neutralises parasite strains | Wellcome Trust

21 December 2011

A new candidate malaria vaccine with the potential to neutralise all strains of the most deadly species of malaria parasite has been developed by a team led by scientists at the University of Oxford. This new work independently confirms the utility of a key discovery reported last month by scientists at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, as it involves the target they had identified within the parasite as a potential ‘Achilles’ heel’.

Read full story www.wellcome.ac.uk

Movement Against Malaria eNews December 2011 issue

MAM E-News Team

This is indeed a blessed holidays!

Global Fund announced the approval of Phase 2 funding of Consolidated Malaria Grant early this month. Meanwhile, MAM and its implementing partners continue to intensify efforts against the disease particularly during the recently celebrated National Malaria Awareness Month.

Read these and more in this issue of MAM eNews.

Happy reading and happy holidays!

Movement Against Malaria eNews December 2011 issue

Movement Against Malaria e-News Vol 6 Issue 2 (September 2011)

MAM eNews Team


Welcome to another issue of Movement Against Malaria eNews.

On this issue, the Movement Against Malaria once again recognizes its partnerships with various government agencies and programs, non-governmental organizations, business and religious groups, and academe as well as with outstanding community leaders and individuals in their various efforts done in the last few months in the continuous fight against the scourge, that is, malaria.

Happy reading.

Movement Against Malaria April 2011 e-News, Volume 6 Issue 2

The Collaborating Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CCDPC) Regional Laboratory

Dedicated for the people of Central and North Luzon the Collaborating Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CCDPC) was built through the vision of Secretary Alberto G. Romualdez, Jr., the patronage of Secretary Manuel M. Dayrit, and the leadership of Director Ethelyn P. Nieto.

It was inaugurated on the 3rd day of December 2001 as witnessed by partners in the health sector.

The Regional Laboratory, together with the Resource Center and Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) are the three arms of the CCDPC which are collectively known as the 3Rs.  The CCDPC is a center that provides immediate response to disease outbreaks in Central Luzon areas.

It is situated at CHD 3 compound, Diosdado Macapagal Regional Government Center, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

The first chief executive officer of the center was Dr. Rio L. Magpantay, while Dr. Seth Calalang was the manager of the laboratory department and at the same time the head of the Resource Center.  The RESU is headed by Dr. Jesse Fantone up to present.

The current overall head and pathologist of the laboratory is Dr. Ma. Lourdes J. Pasion.  The Drug Testing Section is headed by Dr. Ma. Melinda M. Olesco.

Laboratory services includes:

I.                    Laboratory Examination Services:

a.       Drug Testing

-          Screening test for Tetrahydrocannabinol and Methamphetamine

-          We are also accepting remote collection of specimen

b.      Water Bacteriological Analysis

-          Multiple Tube Fermentation Method

-          Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC)

-          Rapid detection for the presence/absence of E. Coli

II.                  DOH Program-based Services:

a.       Regional Malaria Microscopy Laboratory

-          Conducts training on Basic Malaria Microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Test

-          Giemsa Stained Light Microscopy Diagnosis

-          Implements Quality Assurance in Malaria Microscopy which includes validation/cross-checking of slides, onsite supervisory visit, and external quality assessment scheme

b.      Regional Tuberculosis Laboratory

-          Conducts basic course on direct sputum smear microscopy and training on quality assurance TB medical technologists controllers

-          Direct sputum smear microscopy examination

-          Implements Quality Assurance in TB

Future services to be offered:

I.                    Physico-chemical analysis of water

-          Color

-          Turbidity

-          Odor

-          Taste

-     Alkalinity (as CaCO₃)

Movement Against Malaria (MAM) e-News

From MAM eNews Team, Volume 6 Issue 1

Movement Against Malaria e-news is an official publication of the Philippine Movement Against Malaria Program.  It is the Program’s way of informing its partners of the activities and accomplishments completed every two months. This also aims to reach out to its stakeholders and encourage them to give their opinion and comments on how to further improve project implementation. The Movement Against Malaria e-news is part of the Shell’s continued commitment of being transparent to all its implementers and associates.

MAM is a malaria prevention and control programme implemented by Pilipinas Shell in 40 provinces nationwide through its social investment arm Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) in collaboration with World Health Organization, Department of Health, and local implementing partners. The MAM supports the country’s National Malaria Control Program and seeks to facilitate the achievement of the goal of a malaria free Philippines by 2020.

Their success stories now hailed recognitions from various sectors. See these stories and more in the newest Movement Against Malaria e-News issue.

For comments and contributions, please send email at movementagainstmalaria@gmail.com

Movement Against Malaria April 2011 e-News, Volume 6 Issue 1

MAM eNews Team

Editorial Advisors:

EDGAR R. VERON CRUZ
MARVI R. TRUDEAU
RAY U. ANGLUBEN

Editing and Management:

RL YNNA M. LAURON - DOBLADO

Contributors:

DARIUS DELA CRUZ, MARISOL D. TUSO, GARY ALLIGAYU, ROMUEL FLORES, MARITESS MANDERI, GLENN B. RUSIANA, JENNY RUTH C. SUGUITAN, CLESTHER HOSE ESPINOSA, GLADYS AMITA, DESIRE SECUYA, HAZEL ANN SIATAN, JOSEPHINE QUEBIC, SPARK R. CASTILLO

Art and Design:

DARIUS R. DELA CRUZ

Genetic Transformation of an Obligate Anaerobe, P. gingivalis for FMN-Green Fluorescent Protein Expression in Studying Host-Microbe Interaction

Chul Hee Choi, Jefferson V. De Guzman, Richard J. Lamont, Özlem Yilmaz

Click to enlarge

Great news! Our contributor and his colleagues have recently published their study on the genetic transformation of an anaerobe, Porphyromonas gingivalis.

This bacteria is a common member of the oral mucosa and can cause severe periodontitis and even a risk factor of coronary heart disease and pulmonary infections.

Generally, green fluorescent proteins (GFP) have been used to study bacteria and other pathogens.  However, most of the GFPs require oxygen to be efficient.

This novel research tool that they created utilize an oxygen-independent GFP and is truly a great development in the scientific research field.

See the entire publication here: Research Article

Malaria scare in Madagascar checked | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

If you will be visiting an area of Madagascar with malaria, you will need to discuss with your doctor the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with malaria. Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite.

Ways to prevent malaria include the following:

· Taking a prescription antimalarial drug

· Using insect repellent and wearing long pants and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites

· Sleeping in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms or using bednets

Malaria symptoms may include

· fever

· chills

· sweating

· headache

· body aches

· nausea and vomiting

· fatigue

Malaria symptoms will occur at least 7 to 9 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Fever in the first week of travel in a malaria-risk area is unlikely to be malaria; however, you should see a doctor right away if you develop a fever during your trip.

Malaria infections with Plasmodium falciparum, if not promptly treated, may be fatal and will lead to death. Despite using protective measures, travelers may still develop malaria up to a year after returning from a malarious area. You should see a doctor immediately if you develop a fever anytime during the year following your return and tell the physician of your travel.

Two personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi were dispatched to Madagascar on Wednesday to get information on the conditions of Filipino workers at the Ambatovy Project in Tamatave.

The move was taken after OFWs working in the area raised concerns about contracting malaria at the site. Unconfirmed reports alleged that 16 OFWs working at the Kentz Engineers and Constructors tested positive for malaria. There were also reports of an increasing number of OFWs going to the clinic to be tested for possible malaria.

For complete information visit ABS-CBN News with the link below.

Malaria scare in Madagascar checked | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Hospital officials, staff face raps for alleged wrong HIV diagnosis | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

It was in year 1998 when Jed Dragg, 32 years old, was diagnosed HIV-positive at the San Lazaro Hospital. He was again tested at the same hospital on October 30, 2009 but the result turned out to be negative. He was also HIV negative when tested at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine on November 4, 2009.

Jed believes that San Lazaro Hospital committed mistakes.

"It may be the reagent or must be the kit, o nagka-switch ang blood sample, and I am not sure about it but the definitely it really made a mistake… there is no really a cure for HIV, so how could it happen?" he said.

Because of this, Jed wants San Lazaro to be held liable for losing his job and a life being not normal because of this.

Jed filed administrative cases before the Ombudsman, the Professional Regulation Commission and the Philippine Medical Association against the ten officers and staff of San Lazaro that was led by Dr. Arturo Cabanban, the former medical center chief.

It is at the National Reference Laboratory for HIV in San Lazaro Hospital where screening and confirmatory test for patients who want to know whether they are negative or positive for HIV is being done.

However, the governing body of San Lazaro laboratory asserted that they did not commit mistake and that they do quality work. They already answered the accusations of Jed to the Ombudsman. They also cautioned about the possibility that Jed’s illness might return.

On the other hand, the Department of Health assured that they can bring out the results of their investigation of Jed’s case.

As a medical technologist, I do believe that getting a negative result after more than ten years is possible for the reason that the patient’s antibody or antigen might not already be enough to be detectable assuming that Jed’s illness is currently in silent state after taking antiretroviral treatment. And also, there is no such test available that is 100 percent accurate, sensitive, or specific.

Hospital officials, staff face raps for alleged wrong HIV diagnosis | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Harbour Square at the CCP Complex

By Jeffrey V. de Guzman

We had the chance to visit this gimmick place along Manila Bay during the conduct of refresher course on malaria microscopy last June 2010.  We had a dinner at Dencio’s, one of the food and bar establishments located inside the place.  Offering a student meal promo, we chose to eat there so that we can save our dinner allowances that night.  But unfortunately, we were not able to avail the said budget meal because the waiter told us that the promo is for students only and we don’t have any student ID to show them.  Some of us still tried to convince them that we were students. But we were not successful, may be because of our obvious greying hair and wrinkling face.  So we looked and smiled at each other until finally deciding to stay just to show the people inside that we can afford such fine dining.

We all had the chance to browse the menu, and we looked at each other once again.  May be you can imagine our reactions.  A single meal would cost us one week of our allowance.  We laughed and joked about it while inside.  We planned to escape one by one but no one dared to initiate.  So we just decided to order  three dishes for the seven of us, a soup (with extra “sabaw”),” sisig na bangus”, and “kangkong” (which costs a bundle when bought from the market).  And we just asked for the service water for our drinks.  A big thanks to the rice and “sabaw” for our hunger was satisfied.

Nonetheless, we enjoyed our stay because we were laughing and joking all the time.  It was a funny and unforgettable experience of the seven medical technologists who were trying to save but ended up spending more.

  

NEW CONTRIBUTOR!

Image from www.dental.ufl.edu 

First off, I want to thank you for checking my blog and taking your time to read through the articles that have been posted so far. As I try to keep you abreast with the current malaria situation in the Philippines, our blog is not limited only to that scope. This blog is also intended for other research and clinical scientists to share their thoughts and experiences in and out of the laboratory.

With that, I would like to introduce our newest contributor. He is a research scientist in a cellular microbiology laboratory at the University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute. He also happens to be my youngest brother and shares the same nickname as mine. He graduated with a degree in Public Health from University of the Philippines (UP) Manila and pursued his masters in Medical Science at the Kyungpook National University School of Medicine in South Korea.

Through this blog he wishes to reach out and share his research experiences. Let's all welcome Jeff.


Get to know him more: click here>>>