LOCAL health authorities have adopted a two-pronged approach in its "Operations Plan (Oplan) Goodbye Bulate" amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

The move is to prevent the spread and to protect the health workers,

parents and children from possible infection of Covid-19 during the activity.

The Department of Health (DOH) and the City Health Office (CHO) launched Wednesday, January 6, the Oplan Goodbye Bulate that harmonized schedule and combined mass drug administration (HSCMDA) for soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and filariasis elimination program (Sabayang Gamutan Kontra Bulate) at the covered court of Santa Maria village, Zamboanga City.

Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, CHO chief, said the activity is a nationwide program and covers the following target age groups: pre-school age children (1-4 years old), school age children (5-9 years old) and adolescents (10-19 years old).

During the launch Wednesday, the ceremonial administration of medicines to different target ages was spearheaded by Dr. Augusto Alpichi of DOH regional office and Miravite together with Santa Maria Village Chairperson Los Eli Angeles.

Miravite said that based on the implementation schedule, January 4 to 16 will be the full HSCMDA implementation for both STH, Filaria and Schisto while January 16 to 30 will be the intensified mop-up activities. (SunStar Zamboanga)