National School Based Deworming hit of 6.3 million in 2018-says Dr Kabaka

Launch of the National School Health Policy photo by PK

BY PETER KOMBE

The government treated more than 6.3 million in over 18,000 schools across 161 sub counties in the National School Based Deworming program NSBD in 2018.

Children aged 2-14 years were treated for two parasitic worm infections; Soil Transmitted Helminths STH and Schistosomiasis SCH which are among the 10 globally recognized tropical diseases.

Speaking during the launch of the second edition of the 2018 National School Health policy in Kilifi county on Friday the Ministry of health Newborn Child and Adolescent Health unit Director Dr Stewart Kabaka said the ministry is committed to ensure that school going children remain healthy.

According to him the ministry aims at bringing the deworming prevalence to zero by next year.

“As a ministry we are committed to ensure that the health of our children is not at stake,” he said.

Dr. Kabaka lauded Kilifi county government on the milestones taken to address child health.

He thanked all the stakeholders involved in the implementation of the NSP including the education and health ministry’s development partners and non-state actors.

“Kilifi County has been doing so well. The county has taken strides in ensuring that children are healthy,” he noted.

At the same time, World Food Program country director Lara Fossi says the launch of the health policy marks a major milestone in the realization of the national school health policy.

She notes that WFP will continue to provide the institutional support in Kenyan schools.

“It is major milestone in realizing this policy. Children in Kenya still suffer the risk of both communicable diseases,” she noted.

She says children still suffer both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Vipingo Primary school children during the launch of the NSP on Friday 21st at Vipingo Kilifi County

The policy recognizes the importance of innovative health interventions in education.

It seeks to sustain and reduce the impact on both communicable diseases, enhance value skills among learners, improve WASH facilities as well as school infrastructure in schools.

The task of reviewing the school health policy include: Evidence Action Right Here Right Now, Girl Child Network, Plan international, Red Cross UNICEF USAID among others.

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