TACLOBAN CITY — In a bid to combat the high prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among students in Eastern Visayas, various government agencies and civic organizations have entered into a landmark agreement to launch a massive deworming campaign in public schools.
On Monday, September 23, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and civic groups such as the Rotaract Club of Tacloban and the Rotary Club of Tacloban.
This partnership aims to conduct regular deworming activities to improve the health and well-being of schoolchildren in the region.
Atty. Neil Sia, secretary of the Rotary Club of Tacloban, highlighted the importance of addressing STH infections, noting that the condition negatively impacts both the physical and mental health of students.
“This deworming initiative is crucial for our schoolchildren. STH infections not only affect their physical health but can also impair their cognitive development and academic performance,” Sia emphasized.
“By tackling this problem, we hope to improve the overall well-being of our students.”
Under the agreement, the first wave of deworming is set to take place in January 2025, with the second cycle scheduled for July 2025.
The program will initially target seven public schools in Tacloban City, benefiting around 1,000 students. The long-term goal is to expand the program across the region.
The MOA outlines the establishment of a sustainable partnership, wherein all participating agencies and organizations will work together to plan, implement, and monitor a biannual school-based deworming program.
This initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Roadmap for 2021-2030, which seeks to significantly reduce, if not eliminate, STH infections through mass drug administration.
According to the agreement, the deworming program in Region 8 is seen as a potential pilot model for a nationwide school-based deworming strategy. The goal is to support the DOH’s national effort to reduce STH infections by 2030.
“The deworming program in Eastern Visayas is not just a response to local health concerns, but also serves as a pilot initiative that could be scaled nationwide,” the agreement states. “This partnership will help lay the groundwork for a nationwide school-based deworming strategy, contributing to the DOH’s long-term goals.”
Key figures present during the signing of the agreement included DILG Regional Director Arnel Agabe, DepEd Assistant Regional Director Ronilo Al Firmo, Rotaract Club of Tacloban President Larry Esperas, Rotary Club of Tacloban President Joey Reyna, Rotary Assistant Governor Paul Quianzon, and Dr. Milagros Bonito from DOH Region 8.
This collaborative effort represents a significant step toward improving public health in Eastern Visayas, focusing on reducing the impact of neglected tropical diseases among the region’s most vulnerable populations—schoolchildren.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
