No fewer than 900,000 pupils were treated for Bilharziasis across the 14 local government areas of Zamfara State, the state programme officer of Sightsavers, Mr Ahmad Ibrahim, has disclosed.
He said the state’s ministry of health with support from Sightsavers Zamfara office successfully conducted the treatment targeting school-age children that are between five and 14 years old.
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“Schistomiasis also known as Bilharziasis involves passing out blood after urination. The condition is common among children who swim in ponds or rivers and if the disease is prolonged it may lead to anaemia and other complications that may lead to death.”
“Seven hundred million people are at risk in 74 countries and 240 million are already infected worldwide. Bilharziasis ranks second only to malaria as the most common parasitic disease particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
“It mainly occurs in poorer communities that don’t have access to clean drinking water or sanitation. Sightsavers is urging parents not allow their children to swim in stagnant ponds and water streams for prevention,’’ he said.
Mr Ibrahim further explained that the treatment for Bilharziasis would not have been possible without the support and collaboration from the state Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board and the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme.
Others who support the programme are Proprietors of private schools, Qur’anic schools, civil society organisations and more than 1765 headteachers of primary and junior secondary schools despite the security challenges in the state.
