The Kwara State Government is set to begin a massive de-worming exercise for over 776,896 children between the ages of 5 to 14 years in 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.

The de-worming exercise is aimed at combating Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis through the Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) in all the 15 endemic LGAs.

The State Commissioner for the Ministry of Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, represented by Mrs. Bamgboye Yemisi, the State Coordinator of the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Programme, disclosed this during the opening of a three-day training workshop in Ilorin.

According to her, the workshop is to equip key personnel with the necessary skills to ensure a smooth and effective de-worming campaign in the State.

Dr. El-Imam emphasized the significance of the exercise in promoting the health and well-being of children and called on parents, guardians, and school authorities to support the programme.

Dr El- Imam disclosed that to ensure the success of the programme, the State government will train 3,000 teachers, 775 Community-Directed Distributors, 300 health workers, 125 social mobilization officers who will be deployed across the 15 endemic LGAs.

The Commissioner also expressed gratitude to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON), for his unwavering commitment to improving healthcare in the state as well as the team from the Federal Ministry of Health and Sight Savers International.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Sight Savers Programme Officer, Mr. Lekan Ajayi has urged participants to take ownership of the project in their respective LGAs for effective implementation.

The de-worming campaign underscored the State’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its younger population and ensuring a healthier Kwara.