- Parents in Nandi County have been urged to ensure their school-going children participate in the ongoing deworming exercise.
- Health officials say the programme targets worm infestations that affect learners’ health and academic performance.
- The exercise focuses on the most affected sub-counties, including Chesumei, Tinderet and Nandi Hills.
Parents in Nandi County have been urged to ensure their school-going children participate in the ongoing deworming exercise aimed at reducing worm infestations among learners.
County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr. Angeline Kirui said the countywide programme commenced on Monday and appealed to parents to work closely with health officials to ensure every eligible child benefits from the exercise.
“Parents play a very important role in this programme. We urge them to ensure their children are available for deworming because no learner should be left behind,” she said.
Dr. Kirui noted that although 22 counties had previously been identified as having high numbers of worm-infested children, sustained interventions had reduced the number to 17.
She said Nandi County remains among the affected counties, with a worm infestation prevalence rate of 5.8 per cent, meaning approximately six out of every 100 children are infected.
According to the county health executive, Chesumei, Tinderet and Nandi Hills sub-counties remain the main target areas for the exercise.
Health workers are collaborating with schools and parents to ensure all eligible learners receive treatment.
Improving learners’ health
Dr. Kirui said learners participating in the programme will receive Albendazole, the medication approved for the national deworming campaign.
“Albendazole should be chewed after a learner has eaten to ensure maximum effectiveness,” she advised.
She warned that untreated worm infestations can lead to poor concentration in class, intestinal complications and, in severe cases, the need for surgical intervention.
“We want every eligible child to benefit from this programme because healthy learners perform better both in school and in life,” she said.
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Health officials expressed optimism that continued collaboration between parents, schools and healthcare workers will further reduce worm infections and improve the health and academic performance of learners across the county.
By Kimutai Langat
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