GRADE 4 PUPIL DIES AFTER SCHOOL DEWORMING; FAMILY SEEKS FULL INVESTIGATION

A Grade 4 pupil from Trece Martires City, Cavite has died after participating in a school-based deworming activity, prompting his family to seek a thorough investigation and an autopsy to determine the exact cause of his death. Authorities have stressed that no official findings have yet established a direct link between the deworming medicine and the child's death.

According to the victim's family, the eight-year-old pupil was given a deworming tablet by his class adviser on July 2 as part of the school's deworming program. The child's mother said she had signed a parental consent form allowing her son to participate in the activity. However, she claimed that unlike previous years—when parents administered the medicine at home—the medication was allegedly given inside the classroom.

Hours after taking the medicine, the child reportedly developed severe headache, stomach pain, repeated vomiting, fever, and nosebleeding. His condition worsened, prompting his family to rush him to the hospital. He died the following day, July 3, despite receiving medical treatment.

The grieving family has appealed to authorities, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Public Attorney's Office (PAO), to conduct a comprehensive investigation and an autopsy to establish the child's exact cause of death. They said determining the medical cause is essential before anyone can be held accountable.

In a statement, the Department of Education (DepEd) Cavite Province and the school expressed condolences to the bereaved family and assured the public of their full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. DepEd said it is coordinating with the appropriate government agencies to ensure a fair, impartial, and comprehensive inquiry while emphasizing that the safety and welfare of learners remain its highest priority.

As of this writing, health and law enforcement authorities have not released any official findings confirming that the deworming medicine caused the child's death. The results of the autopsy and the ongoing investigation are expected to determine whether there is any causal connection between the medication and the fatality.