The incidences of chicken pox have risen among schoolchildren in the greater Dammam area, and schools are being urged to take the necessary precautions to halt the spread of this disease, a pediatrics consultant told parents, teachers and students of three Philippine schools.
Dr. Saami Maher Hassan, a pediatrician at Mohamed Al-Dossary Hospital, was the keynote speaker of the health awareness program of the Second All-Filipino Inter-School Chess Tournament which kicked off Friday.
The contest, for students of the Filipino schools, was organized by the Beta Sigma Fraternity in cooperation with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.
“The incidences of chicken pox are increasing because of the lack of awareness among some members of the expatriate community on how to prevent this viral disease,” said Hassan.
He said that chicken pox is very common in the Filipino community. “Out of 10 schoolchildren afflicted with chicken pox who are referred to me, eight of them are Filipino children,” said Hassan. He said he did not know why the disease is common among Filipinos.
He said chicken pox is preventable and easily treated with vaccines. However, schools must take three measures to prevent the incidence of small pox.
First, the schools and the community must conduct and observe awareness programs regarding the disease, its prevention and cure. Second, early detection is essential in preventing the spread of the virus. Third, all schools should not admit children who are not vaccinated against chicken pox.
“There is rule that all schoolchildren, before being enrolled in any school, must have vaccination against this disease,” said Hassan. He said schoolchildren who are not vaccinated should be taken to the nearest community health center for vaccination.
School officials could also request the Ministry of Health to conduct vaccinations at their schools.
The pediatrics consultant said chicken pox can be spread to people in a nine meter radius by the cough of a single infected person. Direct body contact, or using towels used by the afflicted person, can also spread the disease.
A pregnant mother could also transmit the disease to her unborn child, which often results in congenital health problems for the baby.
“Chicken pox is 95 percent preventable if we follow the precautionary measures in preventing the spread of this disease, so as a basic precaution, everybody must take the vaccines because having the vaccine is a life-long prevention against this disease,” said Hassan.
In addition to chicken pox prevention, Hassan said the expatriate community here has to very cautious and vigilant about the diet of schoolchildren. “Obesity among schoolchildren is increasing. Being obese is not a sign of a healthy body,” he said. He said parents must show their children how to follow a proper diet. “Proper diet, plus exercise of at least one hour daily are essential in preventing obesity among schoolchildren.”
The chess tournament, which included a health awareness drive, was attended by Ezzedin H. Tago, chargé d’affaires, Philippine embassy in Riyadh, and David Des T. Dicang, the labor attaché. Rey Liclican, president of the Beta Sigma Fraternity, welcomed the students, parents, teachers, and community leaders who attended the events.
JOE AVANCENA
Saudi Gazette