DOH to conduct deworming in five regions

The Department of Health (DOH) is planning to conduct a massive deworming program in five regions heavily burdened by helminth infection or intestinal worm.

Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, director of the DOH’s National Center for Disease, Prevention and Control, said that while the national prevalence rate for intestinal worms is 66.4 percent, the Bicol region has a prevalence rate of 92.5 percent.

Northern Mindanao followed with 86 percent; Eastern Visayas, 82.3; Mimaropa, 77.6 and Ilocos region, 77.4.

Oliveros noted that they are planning to hold the deworming thrice a year for three years in the regions to control re-infection. In less affected areas, deworming can be done twice a year.

During the first National Conference on Intestinal Helminth Control, experts have estimated that 4.6 million Filipino children aged one to five years old are suffering from intestinal worms. These children face the risk of illnesses like severe anemia, delayed mental development and physical growth and even death. Globally, around one billion people are infected with helminthes, including 400 million children.

Once lodged in the intestines, the worms consume the nutrients from the body of the infected individuals, affecting their physical and mental health.

Oliveros added the DOH had previously implemented the so-called "Soil-Transmitted Helminth Control Program" but admitted that it needs to be intensified. From 1999 to 2004, the DOH had dewormed some 8.6 million children, aged three to five years old.

To cover all children nationwide, the agency needs to spend P75 billion annually.

The figure, however, does not include those who benefited from the deworming programs of other government and private organizations.

Oliveros said they intend to integrate the deworming program in other related projects of the DOH like immunization and maternal and child health.

She maintained that deworming could help the country meet the various targets under the Millennium Development Goals, which include the eradication of hunger, improving primary education and reducing child and maternal deaths.