The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and NGO Evidence Action, has launched a free school-based mass deworming program.
The initiative targets 1.4 million school-aged children (5-14 years old) susceptible to parasitic worm infections in 10 endemic Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on Wednesday at the flag-off at CMS Primary School, Bariga disclosed that the mass deworming would take place in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ojo, and Shomolu.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Lagos State Neglected Tropical Diseases Coordinator, Mrs. Modupe Dawodu, said the exercise would run for five days (Tuesday, 21st to Saturday, 25th November 2023).
He stressed that Children in schools and communities will be treated with Mebendazole Tablets (500mg) for soil-transmitted helminthiasis.
Prof. Abayomi emphasized the importance of school-based deworming, highlighting that teachers and community health workers are trained to administer medicines safely and effectively.
He urged residents in the LGAs to participate, emphasizing the government’s commitment to a worm-free state for school-aged children.
