Rivers State Launches Free School-Based Deworming Campaign for Child Health
She urged residents in the affected areas, as well as parents and caregivers, to ensure that their children participate in the deworming program on specified dates in October.
AKACHI NOEL 
The Rivers State Ministry of Health, in partnership with Evidence Action, has initiated a free school-based Deworming exercise across all schools in the state.The official launch of this initiative took place at State School 1, Olanada, with Dr. Adaeze Oreh, the Commissioner for Health, expressing gratitude for the current administration's commitment to healthcare. Dr. Oreh emphasized the importance of regular deworming, underscoring its role in promoting a healthy life.
She urged residents in the affected areas, as well as parents and caregivers, to ensure that their children participate in the deworming program on specified dates in October.
Dr. Kinikanwo Innocent Green, the Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, shed light on the campaign's target demographic, focusing on children aged between five (5) and fourteen (14) years. Dr. Green highlighted the detrimental impact of worm parasites on child nutrition, citing the theft of essential nutrients leading to severe anaemia, stunted growth, lowered immunity, and other health issues.
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According to Dr. Green, deworming is crucial for children's overall development and educational performance, as it enables healthy growth and enhances learning capabilities. He stressed the significance of addressing worm infections, a major impediment to children's well-being, given the body's limited natural defenses against these parasites.
