Director Gonzaga said
that the DOH team will go around the Region to oversee the first round
of deworming of school children. He said that for this endeavor, the
Department of Education is its implementing partner.
Director Gonzaga said
this is part of the Expanded Garantisadong Pambata Program of the
Aquino Administration which was launched in the Region in March of
2011.
Director Gonzaga
informed that instead of focusing only on child survival intervention
of preschoolers, 0-5 years old, the newly designed Garantisadong
Pambata program has expanded to providing service and information on
health, nutrition, and environment for newborn babies up to 14 years
old children.
This essential health
package, Director Gonzaga said, includes the promotion of exclusive
breastfeeding for six months; providing routine immunization among
infants; giving vitamin A supplement and de-worming tablet every six
months; education on proper hand washing with soap and water; brushing
of teeth regularly; using the toilet properly; and keeping homes
tobacco smoke-free.
The new design of the
program aims to make Garantisadong Pambata as a way of life, Director
Gonzaga stressed. Anything that will ensure that children are healthy
and living in a safe environment is GP, the good DOH Director added.
Under the new GP good health of children is a critical foundation for
a healthy adulthood.
Director Gonzaga said
that instead of confining child health services in health facilities,
the new GP now involves non-tradition community outlets like day care
centers, schools and workplaces.
The GP program
targets 100% of children aged 1-5 years old and those aged 6-12 years
old enrolled in public elementary schools to receive de-worming
tablets every six months to reduce prevalence of parasitism in these
aged groups.
