DOH to parents, public: Stop false
rumors, avail of free deworming on Jan. 27
By Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) –
The Department of Health (DOH) announced the conduct of a free deworming in all
public schools this coming Jan. 27, but appealed to the public to stop the spread of
false information regarding the drugs, which may lead to another “mass
hysteria,” as what happened before in the region.
DOH Undersecretary Vicente Belizario Jr. told the media
here last week that “false information caused the mass hysteria,” referring to
text blasts and wrong reports that the deworming pills Albendazole that was
administered to schoolchildren in Zamboanga del Norte last July were expired,
which caused vomiting. As a result, parents panicked and brought their dewormed
children to the hospitals.
Meanwhile in Pagadian City, media reports, which later
turned out to be false, surfaced saying that ten children in nearby Dumingag
municipality died after receiving the pills. In an Inquirer news article, the reporter
was said to have issued a public apology for the misinformation.
‘Definitely no expired drugs, misinformation was
malicious’
“It is not true, we do not administer expired drugs, there
is no such thing,” Undersecretary Belizario stressed.
“It was malicious,” he added, referring to the
misinformation, and was meant to destroy a national program meant to benefit
thousands of schoolchildren.”
“No health worker in his or her right mind would ever give
expired pills,” he emphasized.
Belizario shared that this experience was unique to the
region. “The program was well-received in other regions,” he said.
The DOH had clarified that vomiting is one of the adverse
effects of the drug, as well as headaches, stomachaches, dizziness and loose
bowel movements (LBM), especially with children that already have thriving
parasitic worms.
Very safe, effective drug
According to Belizario, Albendazole is a “very safe drug,
proven to be safe.” It is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO),
and has been mass-administered in Africa for more than 10 years.
Belizario said that the incidents of vomiting among
children in some towns in this region may have resulted from not having
received any deworming before. “Deworming gets rid of the worms, the vomiting
was caused by the worms themselves.”
The DOH official appealed to the public to stop the spread
of wrong information that could potentially hinder the implementation of “a
very good program of the national government.”
If you hear of negative reports, please verify them with
the DOH,” he appealed.
“Sa mga parents na natatakot magpa-deworm, mas matakot
kayo sa bulate (to the parents who are afraid of the deworming, be more afraid
of the worms),” Belizario explained, furthering that if worms continually
thrive in the body, the children may not grow up properly. The children may be
malnourished, and as a result, will perform poor in school, and will have low
IQ.
During the national deworming day this Jan. 27,
children aged 5-12 years old in public schools will be administered with the
chewable Albendazole pill. Belizario assured that health workers will work
hand-in-hand with teachers in the schools to administer the drugs, as well as
monitor and immediately address any possible side effects.
The DOH advises the parents that the children should be
well fed prior to being dewormed to avoid stomachaches. For children who
develop the said side effects, parents are advised not to worry, as this is
normal. However, if the effects such as vomiting still persist after 24 hours, they
should visit the nearest health center or hospital for consultation.
