Neglected No More

The Children of Cote D’Ivoire

Helminthes / Worms

How do you keep 7.5 million children from being robbed of essential nutrients, permanently damaging internal organs, and suffering stunted intellectual growth? You de-worm them.

Working with the Ivorian Ministry of Health and funding partner, Operation Blessing, MAP International shipped enough parasite medication to treat the 7.5 million children ages 14 and younger in the West African nation of Cote d’Ivoire. Over a period of several weeks in September and October 2009, the children of Cote d’Ivoire received medication that eradicated any current intestinal worms (Helminthes) and prevented them for six months. Additional treatments will be administered in another six months time. The medication, which is worth nearly $80 million in wholesale value, is the latest in MAP’s ongoing effort to keep the nation’s children free of roundworms, tapeworms, pinworms, and other intestinal parasites.

Intestinal worms, known as Helminthes, can enter the system through water that has been contaminated with feces and on vegetables that are not washed and cooked properly. Hookworms can also enter the body directly from the soil though the foot an occurrence that can be prevented with shoes, often a luxury in poverty-ridden communities. As part of its eradication efforts, MAP also conducted educational classes for children as well as their teachers and parents. These classes included information about basic sanitation and hygiene, the importance of purifying drinking water, and other steps to avoid contracting parasites.

MAP has also now aligned its efforts with a global push to prevent and treat parasitic infestations by joining the De-worming & Micronutrient Consortium, a coalition of Christian non-governmental organizations that is conducting de-worming campaigns for a total of about 50 million children in 37 countries throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. With these ongoing efforts, millions of children will be saved from the debilitating and deadly effects of Helminthes.

Photo courtesy of David Darg at Operation Blessing International