DOH Seeks Cooperation of Parents on Conduct of National School Deworming Day on Jan. 27

The Department of Health (DOH) has reminded parents of students about the conduct of another National School Deworming Day (NSDD) on Jan. 27 in all public schools nationwide through its program dubbed as “Oplan Goodbye Bulate.”

The reminder has been posted at the DOH official Facebook page, wherein parents are urged to allow their school-aged children to undergo the deworming in order to help them eliminate and prevent the detrimental effects of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), commonly known as intestinal worms.

The consent of parents is needed in the conduct of deworming.

Such consent is given by the parents by signing the consent letter sent to them indicating they have been informed by the DOH and the Department of Education (DepEd) about the beneficial effects of the deworming activity to their children.

The letter also states the procedures to be followed before its conduct and what possible results maybe noticed afterwards and how can these be managed properly.

One very important reminder is that the school children must have taken their meal prior to deworming.

The DOH said it is important to deworm school children because soil-transmitted helminthiasis can cause poor physical growth, poor intellectual development, and impaired cognitive functions in children.

“They can also cause anemia not only in children but also in women of child-bearing age,” Health Secretary Janette L. Garin said.

She explained that deworming of children is a good strategy to reduce the burden of STH infections because such will create a positive impact on children’s education and health, meaning the children will become more active in their studies and school performance.

With improved school performances, children can learn better and gain confidence.

“Makiisa sa gaganaping National School Deworming Day para sa mga mag-aaral mula Kinder hanggang Grade 6 sa mga pampublikong paaralan sa buong bansa,” the DOH said in the announcement.

Some of the STHs that enter into the body of people, especially among children, are the roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworms (Trichuris trichiura) and the hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale).

Children can get them as their bare hands touch the soil while playing, or holding something that dropped on the soil, picked up by them, and without their knowledge, the eggs of the worms have entered into their body already.

The DOH earlier said that the conduct of deworming is free, effective, and safe for the school children targeted.

The World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended Albendazole 400mg and Mebendazole 500mg tablets will be given to school-aged children who are between 5 and 12 years old.

The drug is being administered every six months to ensure the effective elimination of all types of worms present in the body of children.

The DOH conducted its first National School Deworming Day in July 2015. (PNA) SCS/LSJ