THE Lagos State Government has announced that over 1.4 million school-aged children enrolled in private and public schools, as well as those out of school in the State would enjoy a mass school-based deworming campaign from May 20 to 24, 2024.
According to media reports, over 3000 well-trained community health workers and teachers would administer and distribute Mebendazole tablets for preventative treatment of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis, STH, to school-aged children in 10 Local Government Areas, including Ajeromi/Ifelodun, Amuwo Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ojo, and Shomolu.
Speaking at the Interactive Stakeholders’ Meeting for the Lagos School Deworming Programme, Senior Program Manager of Evidence Action, Maryann Edeh, said over 48 million school-age children in Nigeria require treatment for STH infection.
She said these infections result from poor sanitation and hygiene conditions with the highest prevalence in school-age children, stating “Left untreated, it can lead to anemia, malnourishment and physical impairment that would 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 the progress toward achieving equitable access to health and education.”
It should be noted that 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, whereas the exercise would be conducted by the NTD unit in partnership with Evidence Action, responsible for providing technical assistance to both federal and state government.
