Espino steps up health care program for kids
WAR VS. WORM INFESTATION
LINGAYEN— At least 66 percent of pupils in public elementary schools in Pangasinan are suffering from worm infestation, a survey of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said.
The survey also showed that at least 30 percent of the pupils are underweight while 97 percent have various dental problems.
These findings prompted Governor Amado Espino, Jr. to order the PHO to intensify the deworming and oral health care campaigns in all public schools in the province.
Espino noted that many government and non-government agencies have launched feeding programs but failed to re-cognize that a large number of school-age children have intestinal worm infections.
To address the problem, the PHO launched the Essential Health Care Package (EHCP) program for children to reduce the prevalence of intestinal worm infections by 85 percent and resolve dental problems among school children.
The program was launched last July 4 in coordination with the Department of Education in selected pilot schools in the towns of Anda, Burgos, Dasol, Binmaley, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Bautista, Villasis and Manaoag.
Under the program, the first round of province-wide deworming for ages 6-12 is set every month of July, while for ages five and below is set every month of April.
The second round is scheduled after six months.
All pilot schools will receive a one-year supply of toothbrush, toothpaste and hand soap from the provincial government for their pupils to enable them to brush their teeth and wash their hands daily under close supervision of their teachers.
“Actually, this encompasses the holistic approach because we’re not just doing feeding programs but also attacking the root cause of malnutrition identified as intestinal parasitism and poor oral health,” said Dr. Wilma Silva of the PHO.
Non-government Organizations are now being encouraged to adopt public schools and provide them with a year supply of toothbrush, toothpaste and hand soap for their pupils.
Studies have shown that intestinal worm infections and poor oral care affect the physical and mental capabilities of school children to learn effectively.—LM
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