Thousands of school children in the Bole District of the Savannah are expected to be administered a deworming drug each in a quest to eliminate worms infestations in them.
This was made known when the Bole District Health Directorate presented a copy of the exercise to be aired as an announcement.
According to the announcement given by the Directorate, the deworming exercise would have enormous benefits for the health of children since it would improve their appetite and well-being.
“Regular deworming also promotes good nutrition since there would not be any worms feeding on the child’s food intake”,
The exercise, which is expected to last for five days starting from November 1 to November 5, 2021 is aimed at reducing the prevalence of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
The Directorate advised parents to allow their children to take the drug because it is safe and approved by FDA and one should report immediately to health authorities when they notice any changes in their children.
The NTDs are a group of infectious and parasitic diseases and about 17 of them are found in the most impoverished communities of the world.
In Ghana, there are 12 of such diseases and this includes, amongst others, soil transmitted worms and schistosomiasis diseases (bilharzia) which are most common in humans and the most vulnerable is school children aged from 5-14 years.
Worm infection may lead to diarrhoea, vomiting distended abdomen, fatige and loss of weight, which ultimately tends to stunted growth, loss of cognitive function and school absenteeism.
Schistosomiasis may also lead to passing of bloody urine, feaces, vomiting and fatigue. It may lead to cancer of the bladder.
Source: yagbonradioonline
