C'River To Launch Massive School Deworming Exercise, Targets 886,292 Children In 14 LGAs

 

C'River To Launch Massive School Deworming Exercise, Targets 886,292 Children In 14 LGAs

Eriacy Confidence Oba 

Coneri Blog - Calabar 

- April 23, 2024  

The Cross River State Ministry of Health's Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) unit is set to launch a comprehensive state-wide school-based deworming exercise to vaccinate over 886,292 school-age children against soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and Schistosomiasis (SCH).

The exercise, which will take place in 14 Local Government Areas between April 24-29, 2024, aims to combat intestinal worm infections that can lead to anemia, malnourishment, and impaired mental and physical development in children.

According to the NTD Coordinator, Mrs. Veronica Mark, "This exercise is crucial in ensuring that our children are healthy and able to attend school regularly, thereby reducing the risk of intestinal worm infections that can negatively impact their educational outcomes and future income." 

Evidence Action, a partner organization, has been providing technical assistance to the state government since 2016, delivering treatment to over 600,000 children annually.

During this round of treatment, a total of 623,828 school-aged children will receive Mebendazole tablets for STH treatment, while 173,000 will receive treatment for Schistosomiasis, making it a total of 886,292

Also, Over 1,000 healthcare workers will be trained to administer the deworming tablets in over 2,000 schools and communities across 14 LGAs.

Meanwhile, Journalists in Cross River State have been urged to partner with the Ministry of Health and it's partners to ensure adequate publicity for the program.

The Senior Manager, Evidence Action Nigeria, Toochi Ohaji, made this call on Monday April 22, 2024, at the NUJ Press Centre Calabar during a media parley with journalists. He maintained that journalists were significant to the success of the exercise, hence the need for the engagement.  

In their respective reactions, the journalists commended the State government and its partners for their commitment to the program, noting that it numerous children would be rescued during the exercise. They pledged to collaborate with the ministry to ensure the success of the exercise.