Afghanistan

Real lives

Afghan school children benefit from nationwide deworming programme

© UNICEF Afghanistan/Zaidi

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Karin Sham Poo administers a deworming tablet to a young school girl at the launch of Afghanistan’s first nationwide deworming project.

Up to four million Afghan school children will no longer face the risk of contracting worms thanks to a new programme launched today (23 March) in Kabul.

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Karin Sham Poo joined Afghanistan’s Minister of Health, Her Excellency Sohaila Saddiq, and the Canadian Ambassador Christopher Alexander along with the heads of  World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in launching a nationwide deworming campaign for the nation's school children.

Up to 60 per cent of the school age population is believed to be infected by worms, causing a risk of anaemia as well as affecting the child's ability to concentrate on his or her studies which, in turn, has a negative impact on the child’s development.

The campaign, which is a joint initiative between the Ministries of Health, Education, UNICEF, the WHO and the WFP aims to reach more than four million children this year, administering a single dose of medication at the cost of less than two U.S. cents per child.

Treatment will be administered at schools, highlighting the important role that school rooms play in addition to providing education. The programme is being funded with the support of the Government of Canada, and will be complemented by health and hygiene education programmes in schools.

Ms Sham Poo welcomed the initiative saying "We at UNICEF believe that the school has the potential for becoming the centre for social change. The classroom can be more than just a place for basic learning."

The cooperation between the government ministries and UN agencies was singled out by Ambassador Alexander who said: "What you see before you today is Afghanistan and the United Nations at their best."

Globally, as many as 150,000 children die each year from intestinal obstruction and other abdominal complications caused by large adult worms. In millions more, worms are a significant cause of malnutrition, stunting growth and causing severe anaemia, dysentery, delayed puberty and problems with learning and memory.

Transmission is easy, especially where hygiene and sanitation are inadequate. A child walking barefoot can pick up hookworm; by putting a dirty finger in her mouth, she may ingest roundworm eggs. It is not uncommon for a child to carry up to 1,000 hookworms, roundworms and whipworms that deplete blood and nutrients.

Worms affect nutrition in several ways, ingesting blood and leading to the loss of iron and other nutrients. Worms also cause the lining of the intestines to change, which reduces the surface membrane available for digestion and absorption. As a result, fat, certain carbohydrates, proteins and several vitamins (including vitamin A) are not absorbed properly. Lactose intolerance and poor use of available iron can also result.

Following a short drama staged by children on the risks of worm infestation, Ms Karin Sham Poo joined Minister Sadiq and heads of sister UN agencies to administer the first deworming tablets to school children.