By Peter Mutua and Grace Roberts, World Concern
Child receiving deworming medicine. Photo: World Concern
Soil Transmitted Helminths, more commonly known as intestinal parasites, pose a significant public health threat to millions around the world. As a result of limited access to clean water, healthcare and handwashing facilities, intestinal parasites have a high prevalence in the Horn of Africa. Intestinal parasites affect one’s overall health and produce symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and exhaustion. In extreme cases, they cause malnutrition and impaired growth, which is particularly detrimental for children.[1] These parasites impact a child’s nutrition at a critical stage in their physical and cognitive development, thus limiting their ability to go to school, causing emotional and financial strain upon their family. Through mass distributions of de-worming medicine, the treatment for this infection prevents further complications to a child’s health, reduces their risk of malnutrition, and improves cognitive function.
World Concern partners with the Ministry of Health in our countries of operation and a global health NGO called International Health Partners to provide de-worming medicines to individuals that need it most. World Concern currently focuses on distributing de-worming medicine to children and pregnant and breastfeeding women in two countries in the Horn of Africa: Kenya and Somalia. This targeted intervention aims to provide safeguarding measures for the health and well-being of a vulnerable population. The mass distribution occurs every six months to those in remote locations who have limited access to the medicine. In addition to providing the deworming tablets, World Concern trains community members on proper handwashing techniques and works alongside the community to improve access to clean water.
Renewed Energy: Mohamed Witnesses the Power of De-worming
Worry was etched into Mohamed’s eyes as he watched his son. His normally energetic six-year-old son, Rashid, seemed sluggish and his playful spirit had dimmed. “He wasn’t himself,” Mohamed confided, with a note of worry in his voice. “He lacked energy, his appetite dwindled, and his stomach ached often.” Mohamed is one of about five to six million people in Somalia who live in areas with a high prevalence of neglected tropical diseases, including intestinal parasites.[2]
Mohamed, a father determined to see his child thrive, sought answers that would help his son.
Relief came when World Concern Somalia’s deworming campaign arrived in Mohamed’s community. After learning about and enrolling in the program, Mohamed felt a flicker of hope. Rashid received the deworming tablet—a simple solution to a complex problem.
The change was not immediate, but it was undeniable. Over the following weeks, a transformation unfolded. Mohamed’s eyes crinkled with a smile as he recounted, “Rashid’s energy returned! He started running around the house again and his laughter filled our home. His appetite picked up, and his stomach aches vanished.” Mohamed’s voice was filled with gratitude and he expressed his appreciation: “This program has given my son a chance to truly thrive. We are incredibly thankful.”
Child holding deworming medicine that helped him recover. Photo: World Concern
World Concern deworming campaign reaches over 30,000 children in Somalia, delivering a tangible impact on countless lives. It is a testament to the power of targeted interventions. In this case, a small tablet taken every six months unlocked a healthier, brighter future for Rashid and children like him.
This campaign goes beyond immediate relief; it lays the groundwork for long-term health and well-being. Without the deworming campaign, children with limited access to clean water would be deprived of their childhood and their parents would not receive the critical training that they need. Thanks to our partnership with communities in Kenya and Somalia, alongside the Ministry of Health and International Health Partners, we are ensuring that more children will have the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong. By reaching one child, one community at a time, we aim to transform lives and foster a healthier generation.
You can learn more about World Concern’s community partnerships for transformational development in Somalia and around the world at https://worldconcern.org.
[1] World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/deworming
[2] World Health Organization, https://www.emro.who.int/somalia/news/ending-the-neglect-eliminating-worm-infections-as-a-public-health-problem-in-somalia.html#:~:text=Of%20the%2020%20neglected%20tropical,highly%20endemic%20for%20these%20diseases.