Friday, June 20, 2008 Group donates tablets for kids
A CEBU-BASED organization donated 17 million tablets to help protect children nationwide from worm infection.
For this year’s observance of National Safe Kids Week, Feed the Children Philippines (FTCP) focused not only on the safety of children from common and preventable accidents but also from rampant but preventable diseases, such as worm infection.
As one of the highlights of the launching ceremonies of the observance at the Department of Health (DOH) central office, FTCP turned over the 17 million mebendazole tablets to the DOH.
The donation is for DOH’s Goodbye Bulate campaign and part of FTCP’s mission to help protect disadvantaged Filipino children.
The tablets will help in the drive to bring down the incidence of worm infection.
According to DOH’s latest figures, the incidence of worm infection among Filipino children has reached alarming proportions.
One of the worst hit areas is Region 5, where nine of 10 children have been found at risk.
Health threats
If left unchecked, worm infection can cause serious developmental and health threats among children.
The donation has an estimated street value of P51 million (for generic tablets) to P510 million (for the branded tablets).
It is FTCP’s second time to join the nationwide deworming campaign.
With the support of its head office in Oklahoma USA and FTC’s global network in 16 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean, it hopes to continue working with the DOH in promoting children’s health through deworming.
In acknowledging FTCP’s donation, Health Sec. Francisco T. Duque III underscored how important it is for government, private sector and the general citizenry to join hands in addressing health and safety threats to the young.
FTCP has its headquarters in Cebu City.
It also has field offices in Bohol and Paranaque City.
Since its establishment in 1984, FTCP has worked in promoting a safe, happy, healthy, productive and meaningful life for needy Filipino children.
Apart from supplemental feeding, educational support, livelihood and micro-enterprise, nutrition and health have consistently been major items in its agenda.
