By Neela G. Duallo

Davao City (11 January) -- The local government of Mati is bent on strengthening it's health services for it's constituents.

Dr. Onjie Catbagan of the Municipal Health Office reported that the department is now strengthening it's anti-malaria and anti-dengue fever campaign.

As part of it's efforts for the said pursuit, Catbagan highly suggested that all local government units should and must have a "malaria center" to focus on Malaria cases.

He cited Barangay Macambol, one of the 26 barangays of Mati situated at the northern part of the municipality, as one example of concrete success in it's campaign against malaria with the installation of Malaria Center.

Once the local government units install their respective Malaria Centers, residents need not go to the town proper for consultation.

Through the different equipments that will be made available in the Center, Malaria cases can not be diagnosed and determined.

As a matter of fact, from the 60 Malaria cases reported at the Center, 58 cases were successfully confirmed and treated.

Only two cases were brought to the town proper.

Said cases were recorded since July of 2005.

Dr. Catbagan further revealed that he is presently coordinating with the miners in Barangay Macambol for full participation in the anti-malaria campaign.

It is noted that miners are easily prone to Malaria.

Furthermore, Dr. Catbagan also disclosed that the Municipal Health Office just got the strong support of the World Health Organization for the Anti-Dengue Fever campaign.

The World Health Organization allocated 120 million pesos for the said campaign of the Mati Municipal Health Office.

Once implemented, a time will be spent for residents to check on their houses, particularly on parts that are said to be conducive habitat of the said mosquitoes.

Also, an inspection team will be organized to do house monitoring, to ascertain how the residents have been coping with their own fight against Dengue Fever.

The department aims that this will become a very vital health-keeping habit for the residents.