By Haruna Gimba
A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has sponsored the de-worming of over 2,000 children aged 0-5 in Niger State.
Dr Oyetunji Niyi-Isaiah, a Batch C 2018 corps member serving at the Federal Medical Centre, Bida in Niger State, reportedly spent over N200, 000 on the exercise.
Health Reporters gathered that the corps member embarked on the project under the Community Development Service (CDS) of the NYSC scheme.
Dr Niyi-Isaiah, said he embarked on the project because of the various dangers posed by worms to children especially those aged five years and below.
He explained that worms affect children’s health, potentially causing anaemia, malnourishment and impairment of mental and physical development.
“The primary goal of the programme is to kick worm out of the school children especially under 5. De-worming children will remove plastic worm as a public health problem for children,” he said.
The corps member said de-worming of under-5 primary school children plays a major role in ensuring the health of children as an important contribution to their educational out comes.
Niyi-Isaiah noted that the exercise is important especially among children under the age of five to prevent worms from feeding on their tissues and blood.
The Bida Zonal Inspector of the NYSC, Mrs Ike Lydia, described the community development service as a call to national consciousness and socio-cultural regeneration.
She explained that corps members are always encouraged to undertake projects that will have positive impacts on their host communities.
Mrs Lydia however appealed to various stakeholders to support corps members in carrying out such initiatives in the interest of national development.
