The Davao City Health Office (CHO), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd), kicked off the National Deworming Month at V. L. Angliongto Sr. Elementary School, where more than 300 students from kindergarten to Grade 6 received free deworming tablets to protect them from intestinal worms and ensure they remain healthy and focused in their studies.
Vince Joseph D. Orpeza, RMT, MD, District Health Physician-Sasa District of CHO told the City Information Office (CIO) that deworming is a vital intervention to safeguard the children’s health, citing that each dose of the tablet represents an investment on their future.
“We all know nga ang deworming is importante na siya para mapagawas nato ang mga bitok sa atoang lawas. Kay kani man gud atoang tabletas nga atoang ginahatag even if simple lang siya nga intervention, but actually this single tablet can actually help in investing in the future of this single child. Once daghan ta og gina deworm na mga bata ang mahitabo is we are investing a greater future for our children, not only in the school level, not only the city level but sa atoang nation. Ingana ka importante ang deworming (We all know that deworming is important to eliminate parasitic worms from our bodies. Because this tablet that we give, even though it’s just a simple intervention, it can actually help in investing in the future of our child. Once we deworm many children, we are investing in a greater future for our children, not only at the school level, not only at the city level, but for our nation. Deworming is really important),” he said.
Orpeza also explained that symptoms include stomach ache, fever, loss of appetite, and visible worms in stool while other children may sometimes show no symptoms despite infection, which makes deworming crucial.
He added that preventive habits such as wearing slippers or shoes outdoors, and washing hands before meals are vital in avoiding worm infections.
Orpeza also encouraged parents to coordinate with schools and health workers, assuring them that the medications are safe and effective.
“If we have the chance na magpa purga, grab it na. Kay kani nga medications, safe man ni siya ug makatabang ni sainyoha para dili mo maka develop og mga simtomas bahin sa bitok. Because we are investing in our child’s future when it comes to health. For the parents, importante gyud nga we will also have your consent and coordination (If we have the chance to get deworming tablets, take it. These medications are safe and will help you avoid developing symptoms related to the parasitic worms because we are also investing in our child’s future when it comes to health. For the parents, it’s also important that we have your consent and coordination),” he added.
To further protect students, they also received mosquito nets to help guard against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases while teaching them proper handwashing and personal hygiene.
Leo Darigold Espedido, Principal of V.L Angliongto Sr. Elementary School also stressed that deworming is vital for children to stay healthy and focused in their studies.
“Kaning atoang mga deworming importante gyud ni sa mga bata. Kay kung dili ni sila ma deworm, murag wala silay focus sa ilahang pag tuon unya isa pod, ang ang ilahang health atoa pod mabantayan. Para pod sa atoang mga bata, stay healthy and happy. Happy lang gyud ta diria sa school kay kami na mga teachers, mga staff namo naningkamot pag muanhi sila sa school kay happy sila (Deworming is really important for our children. Because if they are not dewormed, it seems like they have no focus on their studies, and also, their health will be affected. For our children, stay healthy and happy. Because we, the teachers and staff will strive to make you happy when you come to school),” he said.
The CHO also emphasized that they will continue to monitor the children after receiving the deworming tablets.
Parents who want to deworm their children may visit the City Health Office, their nearest district health centers, or barangay health centers. CIO
Written by: N. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal