Rivers state ministry of Health in partnership with the ministry of education and evidence action have called on parents, caregivers, private and public school heads to ensure children within the ages of 5-14 participate in the forthcoming de-worming exercise.
State Health Educator, Ministry of Health, Dr. Doris Nria, in a chat with our correspondent, Tina Amanda, during the de-worming sensitization of Private school owners in Port Harcourt said worms can cause stunted growth and malnutrition in children.
According to her, the free de-worming exercise will boost the children’s stability in school which will, in turn, improve their academic performance.
“De-worming is very important to be carried out in schools, that’s why the ministry felt to organize this de-worming sensitization with teachers to avoid parents seeing it as another military issue. The free de-worming will help parent not to spend much money on taking their children to hospitals as a result of worms.
“Worm is an infestation. It makes children sickly, causes anemia, diarrhea, loss of concentration in their school work. By de-worming them, it will greatly reduce out of school records on school children”
On his part, a consultant for Evidence Action, Mr. Sammy Eke, said a survey carried out by World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2014 showed that the state has a high prevalence of soil-transmitted diseases.
He said the de-worming exercise will improve the general wellness of children.
“The importance of this exercise cannot be overemphasized. 22 local government areas of Rivers state are endemic to soil-transmitted ailment. Children carry different types of worms in their stomachs. They contact them through the environment, playgrounds and all sorts.
“What Evidence Action and the ministry of health is doing in the state is to help keep this children healthy so that they will pursue their academics without difficulties”
