Government of Cross River State Announces 2024 Deworming Initiative

In a concerted effort to combat parasitic infections among children, the Government of Cross River State has declared a five-day deworming campaign spanning from Wednesday, April 24th to Tuesday, April 30th, 2024.

The announcement, made jointly by Mrs. Veronica Mark, the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Coordinator at the Cross River State Ministry of Health, and Mr. Toochi Ohaji, Senior Manager at Evidence Action Nigeria, highlights the targeted deworming initiative aimed at children aged 4 to 15 years.

The comprehensive deworming exercise encompasses both public and private educational institutions, extending its reach to Nursery, Primary, and Secondary levels across the state. However, it is important to note that the initiative excludes certain Local Government Areas (LGAs) including Abi, Boki, Obubra, and Ikom.

Key Details of the Initiatives:

Date: April 24th to April 30th, 2024

Time: School Period (7 am – 2 pm)

Venue: All Nursery, Primary, and Secondary Schools, as well as Communities in 14 LGAs (excluding Abi, Boki, Obubra, and Ikom)

Target Age Group: 5 to 14 years

Parents are urged to ensure that their children eat before attending school during the deworming period and to provide them with water to take along.

During this initiative, a total of 623,828 school-aged children will receive Mebendazole tablets for the preventive treatment of Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis (STH), while 173,000 children will be targeted for Schistosomiasis (SCH) treatment and will receive Praziquantel tablets. Over 1000 healthcare workers have been trained to administer the deworming tablets across schools and communities in the designated LGAs.

Mrs. Mark emphasized the importance of addressing schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis, particularly prevalent among schoolchildren in the region. She highlighted that the treatment, based on height, is administered annually to children aged 5 to 14 years.

Mr. Ohaji reiterated the safety, efficacy, and free nature of the deworming medicines, which have been generously donated by the World Health Organization (WHO). He clarified that the treatment excludes the aforementioned LGAs, as they are part of another program. Additionally, he cautioned against the misuse of deworming medication and emphasized its eligibility criteria.

Furthermore, Ohaji highlighted the vulnerable groups, including children in riverine areas, those with poor hygiene practices, and populations lacking access to clean water, who are particularly susceptible to parasitic infections.

As the government of Cross River State spearheads this proactive initiative, it underscores its commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of its young populace. Through collaborative efforts and community engagement, the deworming campaign aims to mitigate the prevalence of parasitic infections and promote a healthier future for the children of the state.