A Batch C, 2018 youth corps member, Dr. Oyetunji Niyi-Isaiah, serving at Federal Medical Center, Bida in Niger state, has spent over N200,000.00 to de-worm over 2,000 children aged between zero-five years.
The corps member embarked on the project under the Community Development Service (CDS) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Dr Niyi-Isaiah who spoke at the official flag-off ceremony of the programme at Sabon Gida Primary School, Bida, on Sunday 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 anemia, 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 five. De-worming children will remove plastic worm as a public health problem for children”, he said.
The corps member said de-worming of primary school pupils plays a major role in ensuring the health of children as an important contribution to their educational out comes.
Niyi-Isaiah said the exercise was important, especially among children under the age of five, to prevent worms from feeding on their tissues and blood.
In her remarks, 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 said that corps members are always encouraged to carryout projects that will have positive impacts on their community.
Mrs Lydia however appealed to various stakeholders to support corps members in carying out such initiatives for the country to move forward
