HOUSE Deputy Speaker Janette Garin has urged the Department of Health (DOH) to immediately clarify reports involving the death of a Grade 4 pupil allegedly linked to the administration of deworming medicine, warning that the incident could discourage parents from allowing their children to participate in deworming programs.

Garin said the DOH should promptly provide a clear explanation of the circumstances surrounding the case to prevent fear and misinformation from spreading among the public.

The lawmaker, who is also a physician, expressed concern that the report could create unnecessary alarm and prompt parents to refuse deworming treatment for their children.

She stressed that withholding deworming medication could have serious effects on children’s growth, cognitive development, and overall health.

Garin noted that this was not the first time that similar reports had emerged. She recalled a comparable incident during her term as Health secretary, but said a subsequent investigation showed that the child involved had an underlying heart condition and that the medical emergency occurred even before the deworming medicine was administered.

The former Health chief emphasized the importance of relying on verified medical findings and official investigations before reaching conclusions. She also urged health authorities to immediately address public concerns to sustain confidence in the country’s deworming program.