Gov. Ben Ayade
Dianabasi Effiong, Calabar
The is slated 12 Local Government Areas that are endemic. They include Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Odukpani, Biase, Etung, Yala, Ogoja, Obudu, Obanlikwu, Yakurr, Bekwara and Obubra. There are 18 local government areas in Cross River state
Lead Representative of Evidence Action Nigeria, Mrs Ima Chima, said the de-worming exercise for Schistomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthes, which will last for one month, would be school based, targeting children aged five to 14.
Speaking at St Theresa Primary School New Netim, Odukpani where it was flagged off by the Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr Goddy Etta, she said exercise would be carried out in 11 out of the 18 local government areas of the state as already the 12th state has been treated.
According to her, school based de-worming has been scientifically researched and globally recognized as an effective health strategy.
She said this would be the first time there would mass de-worming for that number of children.
Chima lauded the state for its effort in implementing the exercise noting that Cross River was the first state they are collaborating and they will continue to work together.
State Coordinator,Non Tropical Disease (NTD), Dr Hillary Adie, said: “the exercise will target all persons five years and above and the medicines are for preventive chemotherapy Neglected Tropical Diseases (river blindness, elephantiasis, bilhaerziasis and three types of soil transmitted worms).
“We seek further assistance in the release of approved funds, provision of vehicles that will facilitate delivery of services to the remote parts of the state.”
He said people should take personal and environmental hygiene seriously to avoid such ailments.
“On the 11th we are starting the community based de-worming which will be for every persons based in the state that is five years and above. So we calll on all the people to avail themselves of this opportunity and take these drugs which are very safe and are given once a year,” he said.
According to him most of these worms come from dirty habits. He also advised people to always wash their hands after using the toilets because “one gram of poo contain more than 10 million bacteria and eggs of worm, so where there is no adequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene then the incident on NTD will be in the increase”.
Director of Administration in the Ministry of Health, Elder Egu Omini, lamented a decline in donor support for health programmes.
He lauded Evidence Action for the support, and urged for more from the international community for adequate healthcare.
admin
