To further ensure the nutrition of children, the City Health Office (CHO) – in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) – urged Dabawenyos to have their children dewormed every six months.
CHO Nutrition Division Head, Ms. Elizabeth Banzon, said in an interview with the DCDR Health Alert over the city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Wednesday, that the deworming activity is a medical procedure that is intended for everyone; however, they are prioritizing children aged 1–12 years old.
“Ang deworming man gud, usa ka strategy na no, usa pud nato ka medical procedure nga atoang mga bata, generally the whole population unta na siya, but our priority is the children nga nag-edad 1 year and a half pasaka hangtod sa 12 years old, mao nang nakig-alayon ta sa DepEd and then sa atoang mga daycare centers [Deworming is a strategy, a medical procedure that is supposedly for the whole population but we are prioritizing children aged 1–12 years old that’s why we are also coordinating with the DepEd and the daycare facilities],” she explained.
Every January, the CHO observes the National Deworming Month with simultaneous deworming activities, in partnership with the barangays, schools, and daycare centers.
Banzon added that for this year’s National Deworming Month, the CHO emphasizes 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.
According to Banzon, 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.
The CHO along with other agencies is strengthening their efforts in informing Dabawenyos of the risks of parasitic infection, as well as the importance of regular deworming.
“Kami sa City Government of Davao, kutob sa kaya gina-inform mong tanan, gina-awhag mo namo nga magpapurga. Naa ta’y coming nga purga, kana per barangay na nga mahatod sa inyoha kay naa man ta’y mga abtik nga barangay nutrition officers [We, in the City Government of Davao, continue our effort in disseminating information regarding our free deworming program. We have deworming medicines coming that will be distributed in every barangay through our hardworking barangay nutrition officers],” Banzon said.
The deworming medicines are already up for delivery. Banzon also said that the deworming activities will run from January to February. CIO
