Stronger together: Fighting schistosomiasis through partnerships

Schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are among the world’s most persistent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) — a group of conditions that disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations and carry serious health, social, and economic consequences. Both diseases are considered infectious diseases of poverty, targeting vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant women, in tropical and subtropical regions.

STH is caused by parasitic roundworms such as Ascaris lumbricoides (giant roundworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), and hookworms. SCH, meanwhile, is caused by a blood fluke, which remains endemic in the Philippines. Infected individuals may suffer from anemia, nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal distress, cognitive impairment, stunted growth, and delayed development particularly in children.

These diseases are of significant public health concern in the Philippines. Both SCH and STH are endemic in 28 provinces, and their impact on child development and school performance is particularly troubling. Stunting caused by these parasitic infections impairs children’s learning outcomes and undermines their future potential.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), schistosomiasis spreads when individuals come into contact with freshwater sources contaminated by parasite larvae released by snails. The infection cycle is perpetuated when infected individuals excrete parasite eggs through urine or feces into bodies of water. Once inside the body, the larvae mature into adult worms. Their eggs can become lodged in organs, triggering immune responses and causing tissue damage.

People are most commonly exposed during daily agricultural, domestic, occupational, or recreational activities that involve contact with contaminated water. Symptoms range from abdominal pain and diarrhea to blood in the stool, with liver enlargement often seen in more advanced cases.

Fortunately, schistosomiasis is both treatable and preventable.

Since 2007, Merck has been at the forefront of global efforts to eliminate SCH through its Schistosomiasis Elimination Program. In collaboration with WHO, Merck has donated over 1.5 billion tablets of praziquantel, enabling treatment for more than 600 million school-aged children, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.

In the Philippines, Merck is working with the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) Neglected Tropical Diseases Study Group, led by Dr. Vicente “Jun” Belizario, and the PHAPCares Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP). Together, they are advancing interventions for SCH and STH control in two municipalities in Agusan del Sur.

The collaborative project focuses on strengthening the diagnosis and treatment of SCH and STH, improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices, and implementing community-based health interventions to reduce infection rates and break the transmission cycle.

“Our mission to control SCH and STH is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those promoting good health and well-being,” said Martha Paiz Herrera, General Manager and Managing Director of Merck Philippines.

Merck’s initiatives reflect its broader mission to improve health and advance scientific progress. Through enhanced access to diagnostics, treatment, and health education, the company addresses urgent public health challenges in underserved communities. By supporting sustainable and equitable healthcare systems, Merck helps build stronger foundations for both physical well-being and long-term community development.

Ms. Paiz Herrera emphasized that Merck’s partnership with PHAPCares is rooted in a shared commitment to health equity. The Foundation delivers critical resources to underserved populations, especially during national health emergencies and natural disasters.

“The values we share — compassion, integrity, and service — have made our collaboration especially impactful,” she said. “Our joint work on SCH illustrates how partnerships grounded in shared purpose can drive meaningful and lasting public health change.”

She further highlighted the unique value PHAPCares brings to the partnership: local expertise, deep community relationships, and the agility to respond effectively to emerging needs. “Their understanding of the local context ensures that our programs are not only well-received but also effectively implemented. Together, we deliver targeted, responsive interventions that create lasting impact.”

Ms. Paiz Herrera considers their work in Agusan del Sur a powerful tool for improving health outcomes and economic resilience. She stressed that access to timely healthcare and health education empowers individuals to make informed decisions — reducing both disease burden and associated costs.

“Executive leadership plays a vital role in setting strategic priorities and mobilizing support at all levels,” she said. “It also means being present. During my visit to Agusan del Sur, I witnessed firsthand the transformation our efforts bring. I met local leaders, parents, and teachers whose passion and collaboration reinforced the importance of our work. Leadership is also about listening and connecting with the communities we serve.”

By tackling diseases like SCH and STH, these partnerships help children stay in school and adults remain productive, thus laying the foundation for healthier, more self-reliant communities.

Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.