The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Kwara Chapter on Wednesday deworm about 2500 primary school pupils across some selected Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the sidelines of the deworming exercise, Mr Adejuwon Otelaja, the Kwara-PSN Chairman explained that the School-Based Deworming exercise was in partnership with Biomedical Nigeria Limited.
He explained further that the health intervention for the primary schools is part of the activities marking the 2022 PSN week.
Otelaja emphasised importance of deworming of children, saying that worms infect a lot of children, especially among the poor.
He said that infections has acute consequences for children, and can negatively affect all aspects of a child’s development.
He listed these to include health, nutrition, cognitive development, learning and educational access and achievement among others.
The Kwara PSN chairman assert that deworming is safe, easy and cheap, adding that all the common worm infections in school-age children can be treated.
According to him, the association is partnering with the Kwara Ministry of Health to promote health of people, especially children.
He reiterated support towards children healthcare across the 16 Local Government Area of the state, adding that the association is in partnership with many International Organisation to ensure they assist the state government in area of health care interventions.
Otelaja observed that the PSN will foster long term partnership with the state and will always intervene to help the poor, vulnerable and children on health matters.
Also speaking Dr Grace Medubi, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), said the deworming exercise is part of the efforts of the association to give back to the community.
The Pharmacist explained that deworming is necessary to promote the mental abilities of primary schools children and promote their well being.
In her appreciative remark, Mrs Ramat Abdurahman, the Headmistress of Okesunna Primary School, in Ilorin appreciated the association for the humanitarian gestures.
She also appealed to the PSN to aid the school built in 1915 with some of the attendant challenges.
Our correspondent reports that the school based deworming exercise took place across Okesunna primary school, Oko-Erin Primary school, Iyeru Okin primarily school Offa, in Offa Local Government Area and Police Children School, Erinle, among others.