The Director and Founder of Access Project, Prof. Josh Ruxin, yesterday commended the country’s efforts towards the mass de-worming campaign in schools citing it as a sign of government’s commitment towards public health.

Ruxin made these remarks during his visit to Rusheshe Primary School, in Kicukiro district, to witness a drug administering programme that was part of the just concluded three-day national special immunization programme.

"What we have seen at the sites in Masaka is that leadership in the schools and the communities are the best that anyone can find anywhere in the world; that is why the levels of treatment are also among the best in the world.

"From Rwanda, other countries can learn that indeed mass de-worming can be a success,” he noted.

According to officials, Access Project collaborates with the Ministry of Health to achieve some health goals. As part of their support towards the immunisation campaign that was launched Tuesday by the First Lady, the project ensured availability of vaccines at all sites.

"Through this campaign, we made sure that millions of children across the country get treated for the common diseases that impact them severely.

Recently, the Minister of Health, Dr. Richard Sezibera, mentioned that de-worming the four million children countrywide is a strong stride towards eliminating malnutrition as well.

"Intestinal worms are among the major causes of malnutrition and anaemia in Rwanda. In the same regard of eliminating such health problems, this year there will also be a campaign against Bilharzias in areas of Rutsiro, Gakenke and Nyamasheke, districts which have high cases,” he said.

The ministry in partnership with the project has so far treated 4.2 million people for intestinal worms and over 100,000 children of bilharzias.

Ends