Launch of the 2016 National Deworming Campaign at Government Primary School Mfandena II
Neglected Tropical Diseases are a set of communicable diseases which tend to prevail in tropical and sub-tropical regions with over 21 million Cameroonians at risk. These diseases are known as diseases of poverty as they usually affect populations living in poverty, without appropriate sanitation conditions and dwelling in close proximity to the infectious vectors. Cameroon is largely affected by five of these diseases namely; Schistosomiasis, Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis, Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic filariasis and Trachoma. Albeit being termed ‘neglected’, they are not to be neglected as they continue to pose a critical public health problem for the rural majority population of Cameroonians. Not only do they cause visible health burdens such as disabilities and retarded growth, but also account for a major loss in the country’s economic productivity as many adults are continuously being affected by one or more of these NTDs.
In efforts to bring about solutions for tackling the spread of these NTDs, the Ministry of Public Health has since 2009, put into place five national control programs which have leadership in controlling and managing the respective diseases. Since its onset, the National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis (STH) under the leadership of Professor Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuente, has been efficacious in producing encouraging results which indicate a reduction in the prevalence of schistosomiasis and STH in various regions in Cameroon. School-aged children are the most affected and it is for this reason that an innovative partnership was signed between the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Basic Education and the Union of United Councils and Cities of Cameroon (UCCC). This tripartite agreement was aimed at maximising the resources which could be provided by each partner, improve education and water& sanitation activities, all relating to the management of NTDs. Through this partnership, there has been an annual deworming campaign for school-aged children in the 10 regions of the country.
This year’s National Deworming Campaign is set to be launched by the Minister of Public Health, Minister of Basic Education and the President of the UCCC on Wednesday 9th March 2016 at Government Primary School Mfandena II. The goal of the campaign is to deworm 10million school-aged children, both those attending school and those out of school. This campaign would not be possible without the collective effort of all keys actors both at national and international levels. The Ministry of Public Health works in partnership with the World Health Organisation and a consortium of NGO partners comprising; Helen Keller International, Sight savers, International Eye Foundation and Perspective who oversee various regions of the country. Pharmaceutical companies, Johnson&Johnson and Merck KGaA have donated Praziquantel and Mebendazole which shall be used during the course of the campaign.