De-worming: Ogun targets 1.3m children in 2018

De-worming: Ogun targets 1.3m children in 2018
By Yetunde Fatungase
De-worming
Abeokuta, May 24, 2018 (NAN) The Ogun Government on Thursday said it would de-worm no fewer than 1.3 million children of school age in the state’s 2018 exercise.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, disclosed this at a one-day Social Mobilisation Meeting on Neglected Tropical Diseases Implementation Programme organised by the ministry’s department of public health.
The meeting was organised in conjunction with Evidence Action, an NGO, in Abeokuta.
Ipaye, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Nafiu Aigoro, said that the de-worming exercise would further reduce disability and mortality rate caused by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
He said that prior to the commencement of the 2018 exercise; there would be continuous mobilisation of critical stakeholders such as religious and community leaders as well as teachers.
According to the commissioner, this will prevent any hindrance to the success of the programme.
He urged parents to embrace the exercise, saying it is free and has been tested to be safe and effective.
Ipaye said that the improvement of the health status of citizens, particularly children, was of utmost priority to the Gov. Ibikunle Amosun-led administration.
“I will use this opportunity to tell our people out there that this initiative is for the benefit of all our children and these are the leaders of tomorrow.
“We must ensure that they are healthy and the exercise will improve their cognitive function.
“So, I want to encourage all our mothers out there to embrace this, because it is free and it is safe. Do not listen to rumours,’’ Ipaye stressed.
The commissioner said that the exercise would be in three stages; the first stage being the school-based de-worming exercise in four local governments targeting children of ages five years to 14 years.
According to Ipaye, the four local governments are known to have over 50 per cent prevalence of NTDs in the state.
“The second phase is the community treatment in 18 local government areas for children between ages five years and above,’’ he said.
The commissioner added that the third stage would be the second round of school-based de-worming exercise in all the 20 local government areas of the state.
“Before we have another round we will continue to sustain our mobilisation and that is why we have organised this social mobilisation programme to engage the critical stakeholders.
“As we can see, most of the participants we have chosen to sensitise are community leaders, religious leaders and teachers,’’ Ipaye said. (NAN)
YAF/COF/MST
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhamad Suleiman Tola