234K NegOcc school
children dewormed

The Department of Health and the Department of Education held a synchronized deworming activity to 234,000 public school children in Negros Occidental, during the National School Deworming Day yesterday, a government press release said.

The launching was held at the Hinigaran Elementary School-A in Hinigaran, where school children were also taught proper hand-washing and fed before they were given deworming tablets, and taught the proper way to brush their teeth, the press release also said.

DOH 6 regional director, Dr. Marlyn Convocar, said the simultaneous deworming launches were also conducted in San Jose, Antique, and Leganes in Iloilo.

The nationwide activity targets 16 million children, while for Western Visayas, one million pre and school children, aged 5-12 years old, were given deworming tablets. DepEd OIC assistant schools division superintendent Anthony Liobet said that before the giving of the dosage, teachers oriented the parents on the campaign and they welcomed the activity because they also see this need for their children, the press release said.

DOH National Schistosomiasis Control Program coordinator, Dr. Winston Palaci, said the deworming of 16 million public school children nationwide aims to eradicate one of the causes why children get sick.

“This is a product of a multi-sectoral collaboration of civil society organizations, people's organization and government agencies, to show the world that we can do this in one day,” he added.

Soil transmitted Helminth infections, or worm infections, are among the most common infections worldwide, transmitted through eggs present in human feces or waste which contaminates the soil.

DepEd data showed that school children typically have the highest intensity of worm infection of any age group, the press release said.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Health Office of E.B. Magalona recently held a “Buntis Congress,” focusing on maternal and healthcare services for women in the town.

About 123 women, 86 of them pregnant, availed of the maternal and healthcare services offered during the event held at Wilkinson's social court in the town. Of the number, 87 received iron supplements, 70 underwent complete blood count/urinalysis testing, 64 had dental care, 36 registered for the PhilHealth insurance, 33 went through prenatal care, 26 received tetanus toxoid, and 25 were taught about family planning, the government press release said.

Twenty-seven people also donated blood, and 18 went through human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, testing, nine of them pregnant women.

“The activity is one answer to achieve our Millennium Development Goals, of which one is the reduction of maternal death, and at the other, to reduce cases of child mortality,” Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Edmundo Janeo Jr., said.

A health forum on maternal health care, newborn screening, family planning, PhilHealth membership and benefits, maternal health clinic charges, and dental care, was also held in coordination with the DOH 6 and the Provincial Health Office, and in partnership with the Visayas Health and the Philippine Red Cross, on the theme “Safe si Mommy, Safe si Baby Initiative”, the press release said.*

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Bacolod bizwoman
gets LCC-B award

La Consolacion College Bacolod honored Delia Ciocon-Granada, a graduate of LCC-B High School Class 1957, for her significant contributions to the local community during an awarding ceremony recently, a press release from the school said.

Msgr. Guillermo Gaston described her as “a model of quiet and sanguine way of helping and living a Christian life”, the press release also said.

Despite being the director and treasurer of the Lourdes-C Group of Companies, which is one of the largest local business conglomerates in Bacolod with interests on commercial deep-sea fishing, prawn farming, hotel and restaurants, real estate, and sugar farming, she is regarded as a very humble person, shy but very competent, trustworthy, efficient and full of love.

Erlinda Osmeña of Class '57 said Delia is a very beautiful person, in and out.

The Outstanding LCCian of the World Award is accorded to an alumnus, whose values and achievements are founded on love, compassion, integrity, and truth, someone who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the society, and has brought considerable reputation, prestige and honor to the academic community of LCC-B, the press release added.*

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