The Department of Health (DOH) called on parents, guardians, schools and communities to support its nationwide deworming campaign this July, emphasizing that the initiative is a safe and proven defense against intestinal worms.
In a statement Thursday, the DOH explained that children are highly vulnerable to soil-transmitted helminths, or intestinal worms, due to their frequent contact with contaminated soil.
Leaving these infections untreated can lead to “poor nutrition, anemia, stunted physical growth, delayed learning, and reduced resistance to other illnesses,” while also negatively impacting a child’s school attendance and academic performance, it said.
The national deworming campaign utilizes Albendazole, a World Health Organization-recommended medication that has been a staple of the country’s public health efforts for nearly 30 years.
While the DOH assured the public that the medicine is generally safe and well-tolerated, it noted that some children may experience mild and temporary side effects.
These expected reactions — which include stomach pain, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, or skin rashes — typically occur within the first few hours of administration and can be easily managed with proper medical guidance.
To ensure the safety of all participants, the DOH has directed local health workers and government units to strictly adhere to established protocols during both school-based and community-based deworming activities.
The directive covers the safe administration of the medicine and the proper management of any adverse events.
Additionally, the DOH cautioned the public against the spread of false information online, urging citizens to rely only on verified advisories from the health department.
It warned that sharing unverified reports or misleading claims could cause unnecessary public anxiety and discourage families from participating in the essential health program.
On July 3, news reports cited the death of an 8-year-old learner due to a central nervous system infection.
The pupil received Albendazole as part of routine deworming at Hugo Perez Elementary School-Annex in Trece Martires City, Cavite on July 2.
The National Bureau of Investigation said that it would investigate the pupil’s death. (PNA)
The Department of Health (DOH) called on parents, guardians, schools and communities to support its nationwide deworming campaign this July, emphasizing that the initiative is a safe and proven defense against intestinal worms.
In a statement Thursday, the DOH explained that children are highly vulnerable to soil-transmitted helminths, or intestinal worms, due to their frequent contact with contaminated soil.
Leaving these infections untreated can lead to “poor nutrition, anemia, stunted physical growth, delayed learning, and reduced resistance to other illnesses,” while also negatively impacting a child’s school attendance and academic performance, it said.
The national deworming campaign utilizes Albendazole, a World Health Organization-recommended medication that has been a staple of the country’s public health efforts for nearly 30 years.
While the DOH assured the public that the medicine is generally safe and well-tolerated, it noted that some children may experience mild and temporary side effects.
These expected reactions — which include stomach pain, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, or skin rashes — typically occur within the first few hours of administration and can be easily managed with proper medical guidance.
To ensure the safety of all participants, the DOH has directed local health workers and government units to strictly adhere to established protocols during both school-based and community-based deworming activities.
The directive covers the safe administration of the medicine and the proper management of any adverse events.
Additionally, the DOH cautioned the public against the spread of false information online, urging citizens to rely only on verified advisories from the health department.
It warned that sharing unverified reports or misleading claims could cause unnecessary public anxiety and discourage families from participating in the essential health program.
On July 3, news reports cited the death of an 8-year-old learner due to a central nervous system infection.
The pupil received Albendazole as part of routine deworming at Hugo Perez Elementary School-Annex in Trece Martires City, Cavite on July 2.
The National Bureau of Investigation said that it would investigate the pupil’s death.*PNA
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