The Cross River state government has said that no fewer than 800,000 children, between the ages of 5 to 14 would be dewormed across the State within the next five days against a tropical disease known as helminthiasis.
The Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, said this at the Government Primary School Anantigha in Calabar South local government area of the State while flagging off the deworming exercise.
Ekpenyong said Skul Transmitted Helminthiasis affects children in so many ways and could prevent them from absorbing vitamin A as well as other nutrients.
“Globally, about 1.4 billion people are affected by worms and this shows how common this problem is among people.
“Cross River is not taking it lightly as it is commencing the exercise in nine most endemic local government areas of the State and then spread it to the remaining nine.
“Children would be given mebendazole in schools in the state, religious houses and other places but parents can still visit health facilities with their children to get this drug as it will be made available there too.
“Parents should be rest assured that the drug is safe and for the best interest of their wards.
“This exercise is to ensure that our children, especially those in primary and secondary schools across the length and breadth of Cross River State and between the ages of 5 to 14 years, are dewormed against helminthiasis.
“Helminthiasis is one of the very common tropical diseases in our communities and when there is worm infestation in a child, such a child, it could prevent the child from absorbing nutrients and vitamins from food. It can also cause problems like anemia and stunted growth,” Ekpenyong stated.
She disclosed that it was because of the deadly effects of the dueaaes that the State decided to partner with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to achieve success.
