NAIROBI, Kenya- The Ministry of Health has kicked off a nationwide school deworming campaign targeting over six million children aged 2 to 14 years.
This bold initiative aims to combat the prevalence of parasitic worms, significantly impacting children’s health and school attendance.
The campaign began at Kanjuu Primary School in Kirinyaga County, marking the start of a massive health effort.
To ensure its effectiveness, 28,000 primary and secondary school teachers from 16 counties have been trained to properly administer deworming tablets and manage any potential side effects.
Dr. Stephen Kaniti, director of school health at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the strategic use of school infrastructure to efficiently reach a larger number of children.
“Schools provide an excellent medium for administering these tablets, ensuring we cover as many children as possible,” he stated.
Statistics highlight the impressive progress made in reducing worm prevalence among children.
The current campaign aims to lower this number even further.
“Reducing the worm prevalence among children has a direct impact on reducing school absenteeism caused by related diseases,” Dr. Kaniti noted.
The training provided to teachers goes beyond merely administering tablets.
It also covers crucial aspects of hygiene and cleanliness both at school and at home, ensuring a holistic approach to combating worm infestations.
This dual focus on treatment and prevention is key to the campaign’s long-term success.
By leveraging school infrastructure and providing comprehensive training to teachers, the Ministry of Health is making strides in combating worm infestations and reducing related school absenteeism.
