Worms, if left untreated can lead to malnourishment, and physical impairment that will compromise a child’s education, medical experts have warned.
In a proactive response to these risks, Lagos State has launched a mass school-based deworming campaign to dramatically reduce the burden of the infection.
From May 20th to 24th, the Lagos State Ministry of Health’s Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and a global NGO, Evidence Action will begin the distribution of Mebendazole tablets to over 1.4 million school-aged children enrolled in both private and public schools, including out-of-school children.
Speaking at the interactive stakeholders’ meeting with journalist, the NTD Coordinator, State Ministry of Health, Roseline Dawodu said the campaign would be held in ten high burden Local Government Areas across the state.
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“The campaign will distribute Mebendazole tablets for preventative treatment of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), administered by over 3000 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,” Dawodu said.
She added, “Over 48 million school age children in Nigeria require treatment for STH infection. These infections result from poor sanitation and hygiene conditions with the highest prevalence in school-age children. Left untreated, it can lead to anemia, malnourishment, and physical impairment that will compromise a child’s educational outcomes and income as an adult. Worm infections disproportionately affect the poor, who are less able to afford the costs of diagnosis and treatment. This exacerbates current inequality and impedes the nation’s progress toward achieving equitable access to health and education.”
Highlighting the core objectives of the event, the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo stressed that the initiative is aimed at reducing the burden of parasitic worm infections among school-aged children.
“These infections can lead to malnutrition, impaired cognitive development, and reduced school attendance, adversely affecting the future of our children. Your role as media professionals is vital in raising awareness and ensuring that accurate information about this program reaches every corner of our state.
“We believe that the media is a powerful partner in health promotion and disease prevention. By fostering a collaborative relationship with you, we aim to secure your commitment to disseminate timely and precise information. This collaboration is essential in building public trust and encouraging community participation in the deworming program,” he said.
Senior Manager, Evidence Action, South West Zone, Maryann Edeh reinstates her committment in fighting for the health of the next generation.
“Since 2021, Evidence Action has been a steadfast partner, providing technical assistance to the Federal and Lagos State Governments in implementing school-based deworming Resulting in treatment being provided to over 1.2 million children in both public and private schools and communities annually. As a partner in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), Evidence Action’s Deworm the World program has supported government planning, data collection and reporting, community mobilization, monitoring, and supervision of the school deworming program for STH so treatment reaches as many children as possible.”
