A mass school-based deworming campaign is set to take place from May 20 to May 24, 2024, targeting 1.4 million school-age children in both private and public schools, as well as those out of school.
Mrs. Roseline Dawodu, the Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTD, has revealed that over 48 million school-age children in Nigeria require treatment for Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis infection due to poor sanitation and hygiene conditions.
She added it is highest prevalence among school-age children, while emphasising the importance of treating Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis promptly to prevent adverse health effects on children’s education and future income.
She said, “The campaign will distribute Mebendazole tablets for preventative treatment of soil-transmitted helminthiasis, administered by over 3,000 well-trained community health workers and teachers, to school-aged children in 10 high burden Local Government Areas; Ajeromi/Ifelodun, Amuwo Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ojo and Shomolu in the state.”
Senior Program Manager, Evidence Action, Maryann Edeh, who represented Country Director, Tope Ogunbi, said Evidence Action was set to move into the 10 LGAs and ensure that all at risk children within the ages of five to 14 had access to these medicines.
“The medicines are safe, they are free of charge. We are using this opportunity to call on every parent to release their children,” she advised.
Hazmat Omolaja from the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board urged parents to allow their children to participate in the deworming program, emphasizing the positive impact on children’s health and educational outcomes.
