Free deworming tablets in W. Java

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)