FCTA To Embark On Mass Deworming Exercise

By: Prudence Okonna
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has concluded plans to embark on the Mass Administration of medicines for the prevention and treatment of Schistosomiasis, a water-borne disease across four Area Councils of the Territory.
The exercise, which is targeted at school-age children between five and fourteen years, is scheduled from February 17 to 21, 2025, in AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, and Kuje Area Councils.
This was announced during a stakeholders meeting in preparation for the Schistosomiasis Disease Mass Administration of Medicines in Abuja, Wednesday.
Speaking during the meeting, the FCT Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Unit, Public Health Department, Dr. Eunice Ogundipe, said the essence of the meeting is to ensure that stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities in preparation of the administration of these medicines.
Ogundipe revealed that as part of efforts to prepare adequately, there have been pre-planning meeting to develop better strategies with training of trainers, who will then train the Community Drug Distributors (CDDs) accross the communities.
The State Coordinator, who was represented at the meeting by NTDs officer, Lami Ndayako, explained that the major role of the stakeholders is to sensitize their community members to receive the medicines.
She added that with partners like Health and Development Support (HANDS) and Christophel Blinden Mission (CBM), FCT has recorded significant progress in the treatment of some NTDs.
Meanwhile the Programme Manager, Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW), Imaobong Okorie Umah, noted that to improve on previous exercises in the FCT, there was a need to re-strategise.
Umah, therefore, called on parents and guardians to let their children take these medicines for the prevention and treatment of Schistosomiasis.
Her words: “We want to see that everybody living in FCT ensure that their children and wards between 5 to 14 years accept this medication so that together we can eradicate this disease in FCT.”
Also speaking, Programme Officer, HANDS-FCT, Achai Ijeh, assured that as a partner, their Organisation will continue to provide the needed support for the trainings and other activities to ensure the smooth running of the MAM exercise in the FCT.
Abuja Digest reports that Schistosomiasis is a water-borne disease caused by parasitic worms commonly known as bilharzia, which is a parasitic disease contracted through contaminated water sources.
Abuja Digest further reports that it is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases endemic in FCT and poses a significant public health challenge, especially in areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation.