BACOLOD City – The Department of Health (DOH) has urged parents, guardians, schools, and local communities to support the nationwide deworming campaign this July, while cautioning the public against misinformation that could discourage participation in the government’s child health program.
In a public advisory issued on July 16, the DOH–Negros Island Region (NIR) emphasized that deworming is a safe, effective, and scientifically proven intervention that protects children from soil-transmitted intestinal worms, which remain a significant public health concern.
The agency said children are especially vulnerable to intestinal worm infections because they are more likely to come into contact with contaminated soil while playing and engaging in outdoor activities.
If left untreated, intestinal worm infections can result in malnutrition, anemia, stunted physical growth, impaired cognitive development, poor school attendance, and reduced resistance to other illnesses, the department said.
The DOH assured the public that Albendazole, the medicine used in the nationwide deworming program, has been administered in the Philippines for nearly three decades and is recommended by the World Health Organization for the prevention and treatment of intestinal worm infections.
Although the medicine is generally safe and well tolerated, the department said some children may experience mild and temporary side effects, such as stomach discomfort, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, or skin rashes.
The DOH stressed that these reactions are uncommon, usually occur within the first few hours after taking the medicine, and can be properly managed by trained health workers.
To ensure the safety of participants, the agency directed health workers and local government units to strictly implement established safety protocols during school-based and community-based deworming activities.
Health personnel have also been instructed to closely monitor children after the administration of the medicine and respond immediately to any adverse events, the department added.
The DOH likewise appealed to the public to rely only on verified information from the department and other legitimate health authorities, warning that false or misleading claims could create unnecessary fear among parents and undermine the success of the deworming campaign.
“The DOH remains committed to protecting the health of Filipino children through safe, science-based, and evidence-driven public health interventions,” the advisory stated./PN
