Kenya National School-Based Deworming Programme To Kick Off This Week
By Kenya News Agency
The government is set to launch National School-Based Deworming (NSBD) across the country, targeting six million learners aged between 2-14 years in both public and private schools.
The initiative, implemented by the Ministries of Health and Education, will commemorate 11 years of success in treating 53 million learners since its inception in 2012.
Deworming has shown long-term educational and labour market benefits, with an overall prevalence of infections significantly reduced by almost 62 per cent during the 11-year period, with 2020 being the only year that the exercise did not meet target due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
For schistosomiasis, the prevalence was significantly reduced by almost 99 per cent during the same period.
Men who were dewormed as children stayed enrolled in school longer, worked more hours each week as adults, and were more likely to work in higher-wage manufacturing jobs.
The 2024 annual round of deworming targets 16 counties and 122 subcounties across the nation.
The treatments will be administered to school-going children, with Albendazole tablets being given to children in 15 counties and children in Kirinyaga County receiving Albendazole and Praziquantel tablets.
The deworming activity will take place on Thursday, across the 16 counties, with a national launch event at Kanjuu Primary School in Kirinyaga County.
Globally, 1.5 billion people, nearly 1 in 4 of the world’s population, are infected with STH. Further, approximately 200 million people are infected with schistosomiasis. Worm transmission is perpetuated in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene.
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