The Kenya National School-Based Deworming (NSBD) programme will be launched next week across the country.
This was revealed by the Principal Secretaries for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni and Basic Education counterpart Dr Belio Kipsang during a joint breakfast meeting held on Friday June 28 ahead of the national launch in Kirinyaga County.
The duo revealed that the inter-ministerial initiative being implemented by the ministries of Health and Education will be targeting six million learners aged between 2-14 years in both public and private schools and out of school children within this age bracket as they hold the highest intensity of infections and are particularly susceptible to developmental and behavioural deficits caused by worms.
PS Muthoni said worms interfere with nutrient uptake, leading to anaemia, malnourishment, impaired cognition and physical development, reduced school attendance and performance, and slowed down economic productivity in adulthood.
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At the same time, Dr Kipsang who was represented by the head of Primary Education Department Stephen Barongo observed that school-based mass deworming reduces absenteeism, helps in cognitive development and allows more of a child’s energy to be focused on growth and development besides positive gain in weight and school participation.
The 2024 deworming medicines have been donated through the support of Evidence Action procuring 6,134,000 Albendazole and 198,000 Praziquantel tablets and targets 16 counties and 122 sub counties across the country.
Albendazole tablets will be issued to children in 15 counties, while in Kirinyaga County, children will receive Albendazole and Praziquantel tablets.
NSBD is a Kenya Vision 2030 flagship programme recognized by Kenya’s National School Health Policy and Guidelines, as well as the Neglected Tropical Diseases Master Plan 2016-2020, and was among the first initiatives to directly engage with county structures following devolution in the 2010 constitution.
By Vostine Ratemo
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