FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga – Some 600 Aeta children and young adults in the upland communities of Floridablanca and Porac towns underwent deworming on Thursday, as part of the National Nutrition Month activities of the provincial government.
Aside from being given albendazole, an anti-worm medication, the beneficiaries also received a pair of slippers and food packs from the provincial government.
According to Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, the activity is part of Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda’s campaign to protect aetas from contracting soil-transmitted helminths (STH), which refers to the intestinal worms that are transmitted through contaminated soil.
“Nakita ko ‘yung mga bata, malalaki ang mga tiyan. Naisip ko, kailangan nila ng deworming. So, lahat–matanda at bata–nagdeworming kanina. Lahat sila, mababait, ininom nila ‘yung mga tabletas kahit malalaki,” the vice governor said.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO), meanwhile, advised communities to take good care of their personal hygiene and always clean their environment to prevent acquiring the said infection, which can also affect a person’s growth and development.
“We advise the regular conduct of deworming para makaiwas tayo, especially ang mga anak natin, from sicknesses like malnutrition and anemia,” stressed Dra. Imelda Ignacio, public health officer.
The provincial government is set to hold another deworming activity in the coastal areas of the province.
