The City Health Office’s Nutrition Division is targeting 500,000 children and teenagers for the National Deworming Month.
CHO Nutrition Division Head Elizabeth Banzon, during the I-Speak media forum on Thursday, January 12, 2023, said that for the entire month of January this year, they aim to cater to all 1 ½ to 19-year-olds, both in the community and in schools.
âOngoing karon ang mga purga sa community, 182 barangays sabay-sabay (The deworming activity is ongoing in the community, simultaneous in all 182 barangays),â Banzon said.
Of the 400,000-500,000 target, around 127,000 are one-year-old and one-half to four-year-old while 139,000 are five to nine-year-olds.
Banzon said that they live hoping to cover the target population this month. Those who cannot be catered to will be dewormed next month.
She said that deworming is a must because parasites may cause bodily weakness, anemia, low concentration levels while studying in schools, slow growth for children, and malnourishment.
âWagtangon nato ni siya para malig-on ang atoang lawas, Gina-awhag nato ang mga parents nga kung mahimo ipapurga ninyo ang inyong mga anak (These [worms] should be removed for a healthier body. We are encouraging our parents to have their children dewormed),â she said, adding that deworming is advised to be done every six months or twice a year – in January and July.
The medicine for deworming is free and is approved by the CHO. Parents may ask for consultation from private doctors on the safety of the medicine. Those who have questions about the medicine used can go to the nearest health centers.
Banzon said that frequent handwashing is among the measures that should be practiced all year round to avoid being infected with soil-based parasites. Fruits and vegetables should also be washed well. Wearing slippers always is also advised.
Apart from deworming, Operation Timbang for children also started this month and will end in March to detect malnourished children for them to be given intervention. CHO also continues to distribute Vitamin A, Iron supplements, and other medicines for free to children to combat malnutrition. CIO
