Free deworming tablets in W. Java

BANDUNG: Over a million elementary school children in West Java will be given free deworming medicine over the next year.

The provincial administration's spokesman, Hasymi Romly, said Governor Nuriana had stressed the importance of deworming, since worms could directly affect a child's cognitive development and level of intelligence.

He said the coordinating team for school health had organized a program involving PT Jansen Pharmaceutical, Padjadjaran University and the University of Indonesia to address worm problems.

The program has already delivered 600,000 tablets to Islamic boarding schools in the province.

In commemoration of Education Day on May 2, 5.4 million tablets worth Rp 1.7 billion were distributed to all elementary schools and special schools for the handicapped.

According to a 1993 World Bank report, most worms enter the body through skin from soil, with all age groups being susceptible. (rms)