We just love programs centered on kids’ health and empowerment.  Perhaps because we have five boys and any help to boost a child’s proper growth and development is very much welcome.  

The #2 serious ailment

Recently, we were invited to an intimate blogger’s event about the number two most common ailment among public school children aged seven to 12 years old.  Based on DepEd data, almost 9M or 84%  of students are afflicted with head lice. 

Yes, head lice or kuto.  It is considered as a serious problem among parents and their children afflicted with lice.  Its effect is more than scalp irritation.  Too much scratching of the head may cause inflammation and bacterial infection, too.  Other negative effects of head lice are irritability, sleeplessness, absenteeism in school, embarrassment or shame, and social stigma. 

Let me share with you a story narrated to us at the blogger’s event.

The #1 problem 

There was a girl who was afflicted with head lice.  She was in grade two then.  Her parents didn’t know what to do than shave her head to get rid of lice and nits.  The poor little lass wasn’t able to handle the “kalbo! kalbo! kalbo“ teases thus dropped out from school that year.  

The next year, she returned to school but all her classmates were a year ahead of her.  By grade five, her classmates all graduated from elementary and she remained in the school to finish her primary education.  After college graduation, most of her classmates got a job while she was still left at school.  She felt so sorry all throughout her life.  And she blamed it for having head lice.  If only her parents knew of any solution back then.

The #1 solution

Aspen Philippines, a subsidiary of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (Aspen Pharmacare), aims for Zero Kuto Philippines.  And to make this a reality, they spearheaded a healthcare program called “Kwella sa Es-Kwella at Komunidad.”  Established in 2013, this program is in response to the Department of Education’s campaign about proper hygiene and treatment of pediculosis (head lice).  Last year, Aspen had visited 630 schools to conduct series of educational tours and teach students, parents, and teachers about proper head hygiene.  

We have come to know that Aspen Pharmacare is Africa’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer.  It is also the biggest listed pharmaceutical group in the healthcare sector of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.  Despite its prestigious affiliation, the company aims to make high-quality branded medicine available to Filipino consumers at affordable cost.  And one easy-on-the-pocket and effective medicated shampoo for lice treatment is Permethrin (Kwell) Shampoo.  It can treat head lice and their eggs and also prevent its spread to other members of the family.

MOMI SHARES| Kwell aims for Zero Kuto Philippines

What is nice about Permethrin is that it is economical.  A person with head lice can use it once to get rid of lice then repeat after seven days to make sure that no nits have been left.  Plus, there is no need for any maintenance washes.

The #1 appeal

If only the parents of that then Grade 2-student knew about Permethrin, she wouldn’t have stopped school that year.  She wouldn’t have brought all her life that regret from dropping out of school.   

Now, if we know anyone suffering from kuto, let us reassure him that there is a solution.  With Permethrin, we may achieve the same goal of Aspen for a Zero Kuto Philippines.  But more than that, this mother hopes that we learn from the story of the little lass.  May we not show extreme disapproval to a person afflicted with head lice.  Let us stop social stigma.

* Momi Berlin hasn’t tried Kwell Shampoo.  She, however, has faith in the product and is one with the goal of Aspen Philippines for a Zero Kuto Philippines.   

admberlin