Why deworm through schools?

In many areas of the world, health infrastructure is under-developed. Health facilities may be few and far between, requiring patients to travel long distances. All too often clinics in rural areas are closed because health professionals are absent or the fees that are charged make health services inaccessible to the poor.

While efforts are targeted towards improving these health systems, until there are accessible clinics it is important to explore alternative mechanisms of delivery.

Schools provide a natural centre for large scale child health interventions, and teachers can treat children when administration of the drugs is simple enough to require only minimal training. By piggy backing off existing infrastructure, school-based deworming programs are especially cost-effective.

Read a WHO newsletter about Save the Children’s experience deworming children through schools.

Read more about the rationale of deworming through schools.