GHS, GES Roll Out School Deworming Exercise

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) School Health Education Programme (SHEP) has begun the 2023 national school deworming exercise to eliminate Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infestations among school-aged children

The exercise, which started on November 13 and will last till November 17, 2023, will see trained teachers and health workers administer Praziquantel to eligible children (between 5 and 14 years (by height using a measuring strip and a tablet of Albendazole to each child.

This year’s deworming exercise is aimed at treating 15,573 schools in 116 districts spread across 15 regions of the country.

In all, a total of 3,223,502 school-aged children are expected to receive the medication.

Director Public Health Division, GHS, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, said the country has an estimated country-wide prevalence of schistosomiasis at 23.3%, with focal, or localized, prevalence levels at 50%.

He said the infestations are typically transmitted by contact with contaminated soil or water and tend to affect school-aged children most severely because their immune systems are not fully developed yet, leaving them with a weaker defense against parasites.

“Additionally, children are often in close contact with one another in schools and playgrounds, which increases the likelihood of transmission of intestinal worms.

School-based deworming is a cost-effective approach that leverages existing school structures, with teachers trained to administer anthelminthic medicines to eligible children,” he said.

Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe stressed on the need for all children should eat before taking these medicines because it helps in the absorption and effectiveness of the medication.

“When taken on an empty stomach, the medication can cause stomach discomfort or nausea,” he explained. “Preferably, medicines should be administered immediately after the first break or after children have been served food by the school feeding programme to give the assurance that all children have eaten.”

Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme Manager, GHS, Dr. Joseph Opare said Schistosomiasis, a parasitic worm, affects almost one million people in Ghana, with the highest prevalence in areas around large water bodies.

He added that the government has implemented several measures, including mass drug administration campaigns, health education, and improved sanitation and hygiene practices, to control and eliminate the disease which has seen some progress towards its elimination.

He urged the media to support the exercise. “Through your platforms, we urge you to raise awareness about the importance of deworming and encourage individuals to participate fully in this campaign,” Dr. Opare said.