DOH-7 holds free deworming in public schools and barangay health centers

CEBU CITY --- The Department of HealthRegion 7 (DOH-7) will hold deworming activities in public schools and barangay health centers for the entire month of July.

Dr. Al Patrick Alajas, Deworming coordinator for DOH7 in today's Kapihan sa PIA

Children ages 1-18 years old can avail of the free deworming tablets for free.

Dr. Al Patrick Alajas, Medical Officer III of DOH-VII explains that children are their targets because they are constantly exposed and are still developing thus are more vulnerable.

He also mentioned that 67 percent of children all over the country were infected with worms before they launched the deworming program.

"De worming is advisable every six months that is why we are doing it twice a year," Alajas said

As of DOH’s study in 2015, they managed to bring the numbers down to 26 percent.

DOH aims to reach to less than 20% prevalence by 2020 with Central Visayasalmost reaching the goal at 21%.

DOH-7 is targeting to deworm 3,193,575 children from 1-18 years old. They dewormed more than half of their target last January 2017 at 1,923,349 children.

The schedules of the deworming activities depend on each public school. If ever some children missed the opportunity, their parents can still approach barangay health centers to avail for the deworming tablet.

Among the health issues caused by worm infection is poor performance in class, nutrition deficiency, anemia, lowered immunity, and in the worst cases, death.

DOH’s deworming program is held every January and July since 2006.(by AYIN VISITACION, PIA7-Cebu)