THE DAVAO City Health Office (CHO) encouraged parents to have their children dewormed to avoid high medical expenses from worm-related infection.
In a radio interview, Elizabeth Banzon, CHO Nutrition Division head, said they are presently prioritizing children aged 1-12 years old.
“Hinaot ang mga parents sa skwelahan, daycare, elementary o high school, na inyong sugtan nang inyohang mga anak nga mapurga,” Banzon said.
Banzon emphasized the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation such as proper handwashing, safe and clean food preparations, and other proper hygiene practices in preventing parasitic infections.
She also said parasitic worms are acquired through “ingestion of contaminated food and drinks, poor hygiene and sanitation, and direct contact with surfaces contaminated by its eggs and larvae.”
“Dili lang sa ingestion makuha ang hugaw, naa pu’y possibility na makuha nato ni sa larvae, kung magdula-dula ang mga bata na wala’y sapatos o tsinelas, pwede pud na makakuha ta’g hookworms kay musulod mana sa mga kuko,” she said.
The CHO observes the National Deworming Month every January through simultaneous deworming activities in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) XI, barangays, schools, and daycare centers.
Banzon also said parents could also consult private hospitals for deworming but CHO offers it for free. The deworming medicines are already up for delivery from January to February and will resume in October.
