NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
DOH Urges Parents To Support Nationwide Deworming Drive
Photo credit: PNA
The Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging parents, guardians, schools, and local communities to support its nationwide deworming campaign this July, stressing that the program remains a safe and effective way to protect children from intestinal worms.
In a statement released Thursday, the DOH said children are especially vulnerable to soil-transmitted helminths or parasitic worms because they often come into contact with contaminated soil during play and other activities.
Health officials warned that untreated worm infections can lead to poor nutrition, anemia, stunted growth, delayed learning, weaker immunity, and even affect a child's school attendance and academic performance.
The department said the campaign uses Albendazole, a medication recommended by the World Health Organization that has been part of the country's public health program for nearly three decades.
While the medicine is considered safe and well-tolerated, the DOH acknowledged that some children may experience mild and temporary side effects such as stomach pain, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, or skin rashes. These reactions usually appear within the first few hours after taking the medicine and can be managed with proper medical care.
To ensure participants' safety, the DOH has instructed local government units and health workers to strictly follow safety protocols during school-based and community deworming activities, including the proper administration of the medicine and the management of any adverse reactions.
The department also urged the public to be cautious of misinformation circulating online, reminding families to rely only on official updates from the DOH. It warned that false or unverified claims could create unnecessary fear and discourage participation in the health program.
The reminder comes after reports of the death of an 8-year-old pupil in Trece Martires City, Cavite, who had received Albendazole during a routine school deworming activity. Authorities earlier said the child died from a central nervous system infection, while the National Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation into the incident.
In a statement released Thursday, the DOH said children are especially vulnerable to soil-transmitted helminths or parasitic worms because they often come into contact with contaminated soil during play and other activities.
Health officials warned that untreated worm infections can lead to poor nutrition, anemia, stunted growth, delayed learning, weaker immunity, and even affect a child's school attendance and academic performance.
The department said the campaign uses Albendazole, a medication recommended by the World Health Organization that has been part of the country's public health program for nearly three decades.
While the medicine is considered safe and well-tolerated, the DOH acknowledged that some children may experience mild and temporary side effects such as stomach pain, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, or skin rashes. These reactions usually appear within the first few hours after taking the medicine and can be managed with proper medical care.
To ensure participants' safety, the DOH has instructed local government units and health workers to strictly follow safety protocols during school-based and community deworming activities, including the proper administration of the medicine and the management of any adverse reactions.
The department also urged the public to be cautious of misinformation circulating online, reminding families to rely only on official updates from the DOH. It warned that false or unverified claims could create unnecessary fear and discourage participation in the health program.
The reminder comes after reports of the death of an 8-year-old pupil in Trece Martires City, Cavite, who had received Albendazole during a routine school deworming activity. Authorities earlier said the child died from a central nervous system infection, while the National Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation into the incident.
Jul 17, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
