Ministry of Health to deworm 22 million children

The Ministry of Health has embarked on a campaign to deworm 22 million children between the ages of 1 and 14 years.

According to Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, the director of public health at the Ministry of Health, the move aims to address multiple health challenges faced by children across the country, with a focus on reducing anemia, enhancing nutrition, boosting infection resistance, improving learning outcomes, and increasing school attendance.

The nationwide deworming campaign comes as a measure to tackle the prevalence of parasitic infections among children, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Dr Kyabayinze said 53 of 100 children that go to health facilities with anemic disparities are having intestinal worms.

He further notes, by targeting anemia, the initiative seeks to address a pervasive health issue that can lead to fatigue, weakness, and ipaired cognitive function among children.

Additionally, by improving nutrition and enhancing infection resistance, the campaign aims to bolster children's overall health and well-being, laying the foundation for a brighter future.

As the campaign rolls out across Uganda, the Ministry of Health encourages parents, caregivers, and community leaders to actively participate and support deworming efforts in their respective communities.