The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, has officially flagged off the 2026 School-Based Deworming Campaign aimed at improving the health and academic performance of school children across the state.
The flag-off ceremony took place at Government Technical College, Mayne Avenue, Calabar, marking the commencement of the week-long health intervention targeted at school-aged children.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Otu described the initiative as a critical step in protecting children from Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH)—parasitic infections that can cause anemia, malnutrition, and hinder the cognitive development of children.
She explained that by tackling these infections early, the programme would help improve school attendance, learning outcomes, and the overall wellbeing of children in the state.
The campaign, themed “Deworming is Good for Children, Deworm Them Today,” is being implemented with the strategic support of Evidence Action and is expected to reach thousands of children across 14 Local Government Areas in Cross River State.
According to the agency, the exercise, scheduled to run from March 11 to March 17, 2026, targets children between the ages of five and 14 years, who will receive safe and effective deworming medication through a school-based distribution system.
Dr. Otu noted that the programme aligns with the “People First” agenda of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, which prioritizes the health and wellbeing of citizens, particularly children.
“Our goal is to ensure that no child in the targeted LGAs is left behind. We urge parents, teachers and community leaders to cooperate with health workers to ensure the success of this exercise,” she said.
The Director General further reiterated the commitment of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency to strengthening primary healthcare delivery in the state, especially in areas of maternal and child health, immunization, and disease prevention.
Health officials at the event also emphasized that regular deworming remains a key public health intervention recommended globally to improve child growth, nutrition, and school performance.
The campaign is expected to significantly reduce the burden of parasitic infections among school children and contribute to a healthier and more productive young population in Cross River State.
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