Over 2 million children in over 16,000 schools across 27 counties in the country have undergone a deworming exercise spearheaded by the government.
According to the Ministry of health principal secretary Mr Julius Korir, the school-based deworming programme is embedded in the National Health sector policy and the school health policy.
“The objective of this programme is to eliminate worms as a public health problem for children in Kenya,” he noted.
He pointed out that over the past years through this cost effective programme the Ministry has provided deworming treatment to children in schools not only to improve their health but also their educational outcomes, therefore, contributing to the development of our human capital to support economic growth.
Speaking during the release of the Kenya National School-Based Deworming programme the Principal Secretary Ministry of Education Belio Kipsang encouraged parents to ensure their children receive regular treatment.
“Treatment should be given once in a year when the prevalence of soil-transmitted infections in the community is over 20% and twice a year when the prevalence of soil-transmitted infections in the community exceeds,” he said.
It was also noted that parents and guardians have also helped to ensure their children receive treatment. He encouraged them to keep doing in the next round of the programme to ensure its success.
“I would like to acknowledge and commend our County and Sub County Health and Education officers for their leadership in the implementation of the programme as well as the school community, community health extension workers and the community at large who have made this programme possible,” he stated.
