Capitol to hold ceremonial Patak of Vit. A

In support to Department of Health's (DOH) campaign in providing children with better health services, the Iloilo Provincial Government through Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr. and with the initiative of Provincial Health Office (PHO) will be having a Ceremonial Patak of Vitamin A for children six to seventy-one months old on April 12, 2004, 8:30 a.m. at Capitol Lobby.

This activity is in conjunction with the World Health Day to sustain the Ligtas Tigdas 2004 and Ligtas Buntis 2005 and to continue the Bright Child campaign.

Recipient of this Garantisadong Pambata Ceremonial Patak will be the children or grandchildren of Capitol employees. This service is also available in all Health Centers province-wide.

The activity, which will be celebrated on April 11-15 & October 10-14 this year continues its focus on “Bakuna, Bitamina A at Iba Pa ”.

Vitamin A supplementation reduces morbidity and mortality of pre-school children by 23-35%. Children six to eleven months old are given regular doses of 100,000 I.U. while 200,000 I.U. for 12-71 months old. Pregnant women will be given 10,000 I.U. while 200,000 I.U. for lactating mothers.

The Garantisadong Pambata week is an opportune time to immunize children as well as mothers and pregnant women especially those who missed their doses. In connection with this, the following activities will be conducted:

Extend target age group to 24 months for Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (DPT) routine immunization to complete the vaccination of the children given initial doses.

Provide measles vaccination as “second opportunity” to all children 12 months to 59 months old in High-Risk-Areas.

Regular outreach immunization activities for areas with largest number of immunized children based on the Reaching Every Barangay Analysis.

Routine systematic follow-up outreach activities two months after for children to receive succeeding doses.

Part of the Garantisadong Pambata campaign includes information and promotion of breastfeeding, community support to breastfeeding, use of iodized salt, hygienic practices including oral health, deworming and growth monitoring.

The ceremonial patak will be spearheaded by Govenor Tupas, Board Member Domingo Oso (Committee on Health chair) and Provincial Nutritionists and Dietitians. This activity also coincides with the Province of Iloilo 's celebration of the Semana sg Iloilo slated on April 11-15, 2005 . (PIO/ Ian C. Espada)