DOH-ARMM gets recognition for successful deworming campaign

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=7&rid=882364
• Wednesday, May 4, 2016

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, May 4 (PNA) -- Health workers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are now inspired, committed and determined to perform better after the Department of Health’s (DOH) central office awarded the Department of Health in ARMM (DOH-ARMM) as the most improved region in terms of coverage of the national de-worming campaign’s second round held in January this year.

Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, DOH-ARMM regional secretary, said ARMM has de-wormed 98 percent of its target, or over one million school and community-based children, elevating the region to the top of the government’s drive that focuses on children’s health.

Deworming is done twice a year, the first round in July of every year.

“This is the first time that the DOH central office recognized the region in a deworming period, and it is because of the continuous effort of the DOH-ARMM,” said Soraida Amilil, regional program coordinator and deputy infectious disease cluster head.

Amilil underscored the importance of the drive, which is aimed at combating the nutritional impact of soil-transmitted helminthiasis, a type of helminth infection caused by roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms.

During the deworming drive, children aged one to four and five to 12 are given a single dose of chewable 400-milligram albendazole anti-worm tablets by school nurses and community health workers.

DOH-ARMM’s report showed that a total of 343,885 children, aged one to four and 135,716 aged five to 12 in communities received deworming tablets.

It further noted 568,076 children enrolled in public elementary schools were also served during the campaign period.

Health workers said that just like other medication, deworming drugs may have nominal side effects such as dizziness, nausea, headache and vomiting. These effects are transient, minor, self-limiting and would disappear after some time and can easily be managed with remedies like resting for a few hours and drinking water mixed with sugar.

Amilil said the regional health office first tried to bring down the prevalence rate of worm infestation among children to less than 20 percent in 2014. To achieve it, the region’s Health department conducted parasite prevalence survey in the provinces of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur.

The result of the survey showed 36.7 percent of school children aged six to 12 in the region are suffering from this problem.

“Hopefully, with the efforts of our department (DOH-ARMM), we can lower the number of children suffering from worm infestation,” she added.

She further explained that deworming can substantially improve the health and school participation of children and can reduce absenteeism.

The campaign will also help address other health problems among children such as anemia, malnutrition and impaired mental and physical development.

Prior to giving the prescribed dosage, school nurses and health workers informed the parents on the importance of the campaign specifically in improving the general health of the children.