Lagos deworms 60,000 pupils

Mrs Ambode shaking hand with pupils during the deworming exercise

At least, 60,000 pupils across public primary schools in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria will be dewormed in the next few days in the mass deworning exercise being carried out by the Lagos State Government.

Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode flagged off the deworming exercise on Monday in Maryland area of the state.

Ambode charged parents in the state to encourage hand-washing among their children, as well as maintain a clean and healthy environment so as to prevent them contracting worm infections.

She said that worm parasites contributed significantly to malnutrition in children by stealing the nutrients they ingest, leading to dangerous health conditions like severe anaemia, stunted growth and low immunity, among others.

According to her, “De-worming children helps them to develop well and boost their learning capability. This is a great advantage that cannot be ignored because good academic performance will to a large extent determine the future of a child.

“It is important to remind ourselves of the need to maintain a clean environment, as it is a simple and effective way of preventing worms and helping the children to live a healthy life.”

Ambode commended the effort of the State Government in this regard, describing it as pivotal to the survival, growth and development of every child, regardless of social background.

She also reminded teachers of their responsibility towards educating children on healthy habits for good growth and development.

Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, disclosed that over 60,000 pupils from various primary schools in the state, would be de-wormed, using the World Health Organisation, WHO recommended drug.

She noted that worm infection had been identified as one of the major challenges to healthy growth and development of children, which the human body system did not have the natural means of combating.

According to her, “Worms infect more than one third of the world’s population, with the most intense infections in children and the poor”.

She promised that the current administration in the state would continue to take proactive measures that would assist healthy development and robust welfare of children in the state.

-Kazeem Ugbodaga