Mindanaotoday.com | Camiguin PHO intensifies efforts to deworm more locals
By: Recthie Paculba
CAMIGUIN – To eliminate intestinal parasitism in children and prevent diseases associated with it, the Camiguin Provincial Health Office (PHO) uses all available resources to secure medicine supplies and encourage more locals to take advantage of the government’s free tablets.
“In our accomplishment, there is really a decrease in 2021, whereas before that, we had attained 90% on the deworming rate. During the pandemic, there was also a decrease in the deworming rate, which we resumed in 2021 and went down by 80 plus percent; 82, 83. In 2022, we only managed to reach 70% or higher,” Conrado Odchigue of PHO said during the OK Doc! radio program, January 4.
The health officer added that one of the reasons for the decrease in the deworming rate is the delayed delivery or low count of supplies of the tablets used for deworming.
Jenny Alabado of the Department of Health-10 (DOH)-10 said this happened because there was a problem in securing the tablets for deworming. She added that even if the regional office has already taken the initiative to do the bidding, they have received a negative response from the suppliers.
Still, DOH-10 and the local government unit (LGU) work together to get a good supply so that the Integrated Helminth Control Program (IHCP), in which large numbers of people are dewormed every January and July, can be made stronger.
The provincial government also supports the program through the regular implementation of the Essential Health Care Package (EHCP) in schools and communities.
Importance of deworming
Light soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections typically cause no symptoms in the patient. However, numerous health issues, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, protein and blood loss, rectal prolapse, and physical and mental growth retardation, can be brought on by severe infections.
Noting this, the provincial government always prioritizes the implementation of the IHCP.
“The Integrated Helminthiasis Control Program does not only target the children because pregnant women on their second trimester also need to be dewormed once a year. Four to six month pregnant women, upon their visit to a health facility, should be dewormed,” Odchigue added.
As to the widespread of STH, Dr. Gretchen Cabalang of the Camiguin General Hospital (CGH) said poverty, inadequate sanitation facilities, consuming water unsuitable for drinking, health behaviors, unsanitary food production, and more are most likely the causes of infestation of the parasite.
“We really focus on this health issue because we have seen that the worm infection is the most widespread among other infections. It is referred as a chronic infection, meaning it persists for a long time,” Cabalang said.
The IHCP only concentrates on children aged 1 to 18 and selectively deworms other at-risk populations, including pregnant women, adolescent girls, farmers, food handlers, and indigenous people. (RTP | PIA-10 | Camiguin)
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