School program launched in Ethiopia to treat parasitic worms
Ethiopia has launched a school program to treat parasitic worms in children.
It hopes to eradicate 80% of worm infections in children by 2020.
10 million children are at risk for schistosomiasis which is caused by a parasite in water sites. Meanwhile, 18 million of children are at risk from soil-transmitted helminths, parasitic worms, the U.S.-based charity said.
Worm infections are dangerous because it can prevent children from benefiting from nutrients in their food, which leads to anaemia, malnourishment, impaired development and other health problems.
The program follows a similar one in Kenya where 6.4 million were treated in its second phase alone.
