Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said it would not suspend the decades-old national deworming program, which the agency said remained safe and effective despite the recent death of a Grade 4 pupil.</p><p>In an interview with ABS-CBN News, DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo said the department would be more vigilant in implementing the program and more proactive in informing parents about the possible adverse effects of the medication and the appropriate steps to take should these occur.</p><p>The government has been using albendazole for its mass drug administration program to eliminate parasitic worms since 1999.</p><p>“Hindi naman natin sinu-suspend pero sabihin na nating mas alerto kami doon sa mga ginagamit na gamot, doon sa pagpapaliwanag sa mga magulang,” Domingo said.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0yptVoXu1DPRoGCP7FkVRN7ryjhBWhstu2kcnCkDZQenmmZh5yx6ccBa82Hd9fEXpl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="505" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Based on the death certificate obtained by ABS-CBN News, the 8-year-old pupil died on July 3 from a central nervous system infection that led to septic shock. He was given albendazole at Hugo Perez Elementary School-Annex in Trece Martires City, Cavite on July 2.</p><p>Domingo said it has yet to be conclusively determined whether the child&#x27;s death was directly associated with albendazole, as the DOH is still awaiting the results of the autopsy conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday.</p><p>The health official, however, emphasized that albendazole does not cause infection.</p><p>“Ang sepsis po, ibig sabihin, may mikrobyo na kumalat sa katawan ng pasyente at hindi nakayanan ng katawan niya na labanan ang impeksyon na ito,” Domingo said.</p><p>“Marami siguro sa ating mga kapamilyang nanonood ngayon ay malamang dumaan sa isang deworming program na gumamit ng albendazole. Ang kanyang side effects ay bihira – ‘yong tinatawag na granulocytopenia o pancytopenia. Ibig sabihin po no’n, problema sa dugo; hindi ko ‘yan sepsis,” he added.</p><p>Domingo said the most common adverse effects of deworming are gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain and vomiting. </p><p>He advised parents and guardians to keep the child hydrated, inform the teacher, and seek medical consultation immediately if these symptoms occur.</p><p>The deworming activity is part of the school-based public health program jointly implemented by the DOH and the Department of Education before the school feeding program.</p><p>The initiative aims to eliminate parasitic worms, particularly among children, to help prevent nutritional deficiencies and stunted growth.</p><p>“Ayaw natin na ang bata ay may bulate na nakikiagaw sa nutrisyon,” Domingo said. “Factor talaga ang bulate pagdating sa malnutrition.” </p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ySvzl5y8ESE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>NBI PROBE  </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said the agency would investigate the student’s death.</p><p>According to Matibag, the child’s family went to the NBI. He assured the family that the investigation would undergo due process.</p><p>He added that the agency would investigate all evidence, including the child’s death certificate and the parents’ belief that the student died of a different cause.</p><p>“Lahat po ng kasong dumarating dito sa NBI ay iimbestigahan natin, maliit man o malaking kaso, alinsunod sa proseso,” the official said.</p><p>The public will also be informed of the results of the investigation once they receive permission to make it public.</p><p>An ABS-CBN News source said the child’s body has been autopsied. </p>

<p>The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said it would not suspend the decades-old national deworming program, which the agency said remained safe and effective despite the recent death of a Grade 4 pupil.</p>

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said it would not suspend the decades-old national deworming program, which the agency said remained safe and effective despite the recent death of a Grade 4 pupil.

DOH says deworming remains safe, won’t suspend program after Grade 4 pupil’s death

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DOH says deworming remains safe, won’t suspend program after Grade 4 pupil’s death

Michael Delizo,

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 14, 2026 04:55 PM PHT

Read More:

DOH

DepEd

deworming

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