NSDD’s success attributed to massive info dissemination, says DepEd official

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371453951176/nsdd-s-success-attributed-to-massive-info-dissemination-says-deped-official-
• Thursday, January 28, 2016

By Gideon C. Corgue (ALT/GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY, Jan. 28 (PIA) – Exactly seven (7) months after the first round of the National School Deworming Day (NSDD) in all public elementary schools nationwide, the second round was conducted on Wednesday to keep 16-M Filipino kids free from parasites.

Medical Officer Dr. Mirriam Indin, regional health coordinator of the Department of Education (DepEd)-9 said the Department of Health’s (DOH) mass deworming dubbed “Oplan Goobye Bulate” was successfully conducted in 1,169 public elementary schools in the region.

Indin said there were no reports on students experiencing nausea, vomiting and abdominal pains after chewing or ingesting the deworming pill Albendazole.

It can be recalled that on the first round of the NSDD on July 29, 2015, a report about the supposed death of 10 children after the deworming in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur had reached the office of Dr. Joshua Brillantes, chief of the local health support division of DOH-Western Mindanao which caused mass hysteria. However, when health personnel checked and validated the report, it turned out to be false information,” Brillantes was quoted as saying.

The report said only complaints on vomiting, abdominal pain and dizziness as common side effects of Abendazole were reported to the DOH.

Meanwhile, Indin said the successful conduct of the second round of NSDD was attributed to the active support of all stakeholders—the municipal health officers, nurses, principals, teachers, parents, barangays officials, and media.

Indin said prior to the activity, the DOH and DepEd have intensified their information campaign within six (6) months to make sure that all stakeholders will be properly oriented on the effects of the deworming tablets and other vital information.

Indin said the DOH and DepEd posted “Oplan Goobye Bulate” posters in all participating schools, conducted massive advocacy campaign to head of schools and teachers, parents and guardians, barangay officials.

“We tapped the services of radio, TV, print and social media to air and print our public service announcement, uploaded relevant information at DOH websites and Facebook, hung posters in health centers, barangays, public markets, conducted press conference/briefing, media placement, TV and radio guestings.

Indin said the DOH is confident that with the good results of the activity, we have achieved our main objective - to eliminate the source of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) infections and make schoolchildren healthy, active and intelligent.