The “Oplan: Goodbye Bulate” by the Department of Health was launched on 06 January 2021 at Sta. Maria Central School, Zamboanga City at 9AM. The occasion was graced with the presence of City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor D. Miravite, Chief Local Health Support Division of Department of Health Region IX Dr. Augusto M. Alpichi, Punong Barangay of Sta. Maria Hon. Capt. Los Eli B. Angeles, and Nutrition Officer III  Mr. Elton N. Pelegrino and Administrative Aide VI Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot representing the National Nutrition Council Region IX.

Also present were the staff of Zamboanga City Health Office, staff of Department of Health Region IX, Sta. Maria Barangay Councilors, Sta. Maria Barangay Health Workers, and mothers accompanying their children ages between 1 and 19 years old.

Dr. Miravite welcomed the mothers and their children for the participating in the activity. She emphasized in her welcome message that the mothers made the right choice of bringing their children in the said activity. Not only because the deworming drugs were given for free, but also these are reliable because the drugs themselves are given by the government.

On the other hand, while delivering his message, Dr. Alpichi was happy to announce that Zamboanga City is the only LGU which is on time in the launching of Oplan: Goodbye Bulate. He mentioned that he is confident that the success of the MR-SIA Campaign and the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio will be sustained during this Oplan: Goodbye Bulate program implementation as the former programs will serve as  its driving force and inspiration.

Thereafter, the harmonized Mass Drug Administration was conducted where children ages 1 to 19 years old were given Albendazole for Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH); 2 years old and above were given Albendazole and Diethylcarbamazine citrate for Filariasis; and 5 to 65 years old were given Praziquantel for Schistosomiasis. Dr. Miravite, Dr. Alpichi, Hon. Angeles, and Mr. Pelegrino assisted the children in taking the deworming tablets. Although the launching was made face-to-face with the children, the organizers ensured that COVID-19 protocols were observed and that recipients of the program were well-fed before being administered with the tablets to lessen the side effects.

People should know that especially in this time of pandemic, parents should give more importance on the overall health and well-being of their children. All are enjoined to support all government programs and everything will be all right. The Oplan: Goodbye Bulate program will run through the entire month of January 2021. For more information and schedule of distribution of deworming tablets, kindly contact or go to your respective barangay health center where you reside.

AA VI Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot