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The Lagos State Ministry of Health Neglected Tropical Diseases unit will conduct a mass school-based deworming campaign from May 20 to May 24, 2024.
This was as the NTD also said that over 48 million school-age children in Nigeria needed treatment for Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis infection, saying these infections result from poor sanitation and hygiene conditions with the highest prevalence in school-age children.
The campaign will target over 1.4m school-age children enrolled in both private and public schools, as well as those out of school.
The school-based deworming is implemented by the Neglected Tropical Disease programme of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the State Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education and Federal Ministry of Health.
Speaking on Friday, during an Interactive stakeholders’ meeting with journalists for the school deworming programme, the NTD Coordinator, State Ministry of Health, Mrs Roseline Dawodu, explained that if Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis was left untreated, it could lead to anemia, malnourishment, and physical impairment that would compromise a child’s educational outcomes and income as an adult.
Soil-Transmitted Helminth infections are caused by various species of parasitic worms transmitted through eggs present in human feces, contaminating soil in areas with poor sanitation.
“Every parent should allow their children to take the deworming drug because it is very important.
” When children take it, they become healthier, and when they are healthy, they pay better attention in class, which enhances learning outcomes.”