By Ashley Manabat / Correspondent
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Department of Health (DOH) Region 3 office headed by Director Leonita Gorgolon has placed its resources ready for the National School Deworming Day on January 27 targeting children from Kinder to Grade 6.
Under “Oplan Goodbye Bulate,” the DOH wants to prevent and control the spread of the human parasite known as the soil-transmitted Helminths (STH), or what are commonly called bulate.
The DOH 3 is targeting 1.2 million children all over Central Luzon for a 75.74-percent goal.
Gorgolon said incidence of STH is usually high in poverty-stricken areas where there are inadequate sanitary facilities and water supply, as well as poor personal hygiene.
The high prevalence groups include children aged 1 to 12.
Gorgolon said infections of heavy intensity impair physical growth and cognitive development. It is also a cause of micronutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency, anemia leading to poor school performance and absenteeism in children and reduced work productivity in adults.
STH prevalence is 43.7 percent among children aged 1 to 5 and 44.7 percent among children aged 6 to 12.
Partial results of the national parasite survey show that Region 3 has 40.47- percent infectivity.
Global strategies against the spread of STH include controlling morbidity, integrating control activities, and deworming women of child-bearing age in maternal and child health services.