By Lola Badejo
The Ogun State government says it has concluded plans to deworm over 700,000 children in its annual school-based deworming programme across 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The designated LGAs are Obafemi Owode, Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Ewekoro, Yewa South, Yewa North, Remo North, Ikenne, Ijebu North, Ijebu North East, Ijebu East, Ogun Waterside and Imeko.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, who disclosed this in a release, said the exercise will be flagged off on Tuesday, November 17 in Abeokuta and run till November 23, 2020, adding that only children between ages 5 and 14 years will benefit from the programme.
Coker said about 5,000 teachers and 600 health workers in the designated LGAs have been trained for the exercise, describing the deworming medicines as safe, free and good for the health of the children.
"This programme is an opportunity to help children guard against untoward health conditions that might result in absenteeism from school. Regular deworming rid them of worms that might make them vulnerable to skin and respiratory infections."
"Parents in the LGAs, which were picked based on endemicity of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), should take advantage of this programme and ensure that their children are dewormed. They should ensure that the kids are well-fed throughout the days of the exercise," She said.
The Commissioner called on parents and guardians to work harmoniously with the health workers and teachers, who are saddled with the responsibility of carrying out the exercise.
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