Garantisadong Pambata benefits city's 58,725 children
Around 80 percent of children 0-5 years old in Iloilo City have availed of the Garantisadong Pambata, one of the major programs of the Department of Health (DOH).
Iloilo City nutritionist and dietician Ma. Theresa Garganera said their target was to reach some 68,580 children but in actuality, some 58, 725 children have availed of the health service.
The Garantisadong Pambata is composed of Vitamin A supplementation, immunization, deworming tablet and oral-dental check up.
The Vitamin A supplementation is divided into children aged 6-11 months, 12-59 months and 60--71 months. The 6-11 month-old children received 100,000 internal units of Vitamin A while those who are 12-71 months were given 200,000 internal units.
Meanwhile, 19 percent or 12,089 children have taken the deworming tablet and 415,637 availed of the immunization program.
The Garantisadong Pambata is implemented twice every year. The first phase was implemented last April and the second round will be held in October.
Garganera cited the significance of the Garantisadong Pambata in reducing infant mortality from measles, and other infections.
(PNA)