Martes, Enero 26, 2016

DOH asks parents to help protect children from intestinal worm infections

The Department of Health (DOH)  is encouraging parents of 5 to 12 year old children in public elementary schools to participate in the nationwide Oplan Goodbye Bulate (worm).

The region will kick-off the campaign on Wednesday at the  Jagmis Memorial Elementary School  and San Pedro Central School, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) or infections from intestinal worms may lead to cognitive impairment and malnutrition among children.

“School children harbor the highest load of infection that is why it is imperative to provide them the most effective measure to eliminate it by administering Albendazole, a 400 milligram chewable deworming drug for children, which is efficient and cost-effective” DOH Mimaropa Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said.

Director Janairo clarified that "deworming tablets will be given to children who will present a parent’s consent duly accomplished by their parent or guardian. Teachers were  advised to provide the drug to children who have taken their meals to avoid complication and serious adverse effect from the medicine.”

Adverse reactions such as allergy, mild abdominal pain and diarrhea may manifest within the first 10 hours after ingestion of the deworming drug.

But Director Janairo assured that these adverse reactions are "mild and transient."

Oplan Goodbye Bulate Campaign, a nationwide program implemented by DOH in partnership with the departments of Education and the Interior and Local Government,  is done twice a year simultaneously in all public elementary schools during January and July.

For Mimaropa, DOH is targeting to reach 470,947 school-based children.

Teachers and their school nurses will  provide the deworming medicine with assistance from barangay health workers and barangay nutrition scholars.

Children participating in the campaign are also expected to drilled in proper and frequent handwashing and toothbrushing. (LP)

26 January 2016

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