By Marivic A. Alcober

Tacloban City (11 October) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Eastern Visayas (DOH-EV) thru its Regional Director Benita N. Pastor will spearhead in the preparations of the different activities relative to the celebration of Bright Child Week scheduled on October 16-20, 2006.

The observance of the Bright Child Week which is in line with DOH Garantisadong Pambata (GP) campaign has for its theme "Garantisadong Pambata! 4 in 1 Kalusugan sa Inyong Health Center".

On the first day of the celebration which is October 16, a motorcade will be conducted in the morning around the city of Tacloban to be participated in by different government institutions. After the motorcade, launching of "Mass Deworming for Children" will also take place. Officials from DOH Central Office will grace the affair which will be held at Sagkahan Gymnasium, Tacloban City, after which a luncheon press conference at the DOH-EV Conference Room will also be conducted.

To highlight the event, there will be an immunization for 0-11 months old infants and 12 to 34 months old children who have missed their doses; Vitamin A supplementation for 6 to 71 months and 1 to 5 years old children; deworming for 1 to 5 years old children; and breastfeeding campaign addressed to pregnant and lactating women to include family and community members. Likewise, DOH-EV will provide vaccines, vitamin A capsules and deworming drugs during the period.

Relative to the scheduled activities, DOH-EV is calling the attention of all parents and caretakers to take advantage of this opportunity and bring their children to the nearest health centers or government hospitals and avail of the free services extended by them.