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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