In 2023, the Department of Health’s Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) recorded a 90% increase in malaria cases—from 3,245 in 2022 to 6,248. In 2024, however, 72 out of 82 provinces in the Philippines have been declared malaria-free. These developments underscore the need to recommit to efforts toward controlling and eliminating malaria.

With this year’s theme for World Malaria Day, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the World Health Organization (WHO) calls for renewed global commitment to end malaria. It urges collective action at all levels—from international policy to individual and community participation. In line with this, PhilHealth reaffirms the national commitment to eliminate malaria by 2030 through its benefits packages covering malaria-related services.

Earlier this year, PhilHealth increased its coverage for the following outpatient malaria services from ₱780 to ₱1,170:

• Diagnostic malaria smears

• Rapid diagnostic test

• Medicines (Artemether + Lumefantrine)

• Consultation, patient education, and counseling

Members can avail of these benefits at 1,816 accredited facilities, including primary care facilities, outpatient malaria centers, and accredited level 1, 2, and 3 hospitals. Additionally, coverage for malaria without complications is provided at ₱5,460 for primary care facilities and ₱7,800 for hospitals.

“Ang PhilHealth ay patuloy na sumusuporta na makamit ang ating Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) partikular sa pagsisikap na mapuksa ang malaria sa ating bansa. Sa pamamagitan ng Malaria Package, mas mabilis na magkakaroon ng access ang ating mga kababayan sa tamang pagsusuri, paggamot, at pag-iwas sa sakit na ito.”, said Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, PhilHealth Acting President and CEO.

For more details on the malaria packages and other benefits, members may call PhilHealth’s 24/7 touchpoints at (02) 866-225-88 or via mobile: (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, and (Globe) 0917-127-5987 or 0917-110-9812.