13/03/2026
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GOV. OTU, flags off statewide 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 schools -based deworming campaign
In a decisive move to bolster the health and academic potential of the state’s younger generation, the Executive Governor Of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Through The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Eve Otu, has officially flagged off the 2026 School-Based Deworming Exercise.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the Government Technical College, Mayne Avenue, Calabar, marks the beginning of a week-long intensive health intervention. This year’s campaign, themed "Deworming is good for children, deworm them today," is carried out with the strategic support of Evidence Action.
𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕
The initiative is designed to combat Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH), which can lead to anemia, malnutrition, and impaired cognitive development in growing children. By removing these biological barriers to learning, the State Government aims to improve school attendance and overall childhood development.
𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒈𝒏 𝑫𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔
Primary Target: Children aged 5 to 14 years.
Geographic Scope: 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Cross River State.
Implementation Period: 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝟏𝟏𝒕𝒉 – 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝟏𝟕𝒕𝒉, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.
Methodology: Integrated school-based distribution of safe, effective deworming medication.
𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
During the ceremony, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu emphasized that this exercise is a core component of Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s "𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕" mandate. She noted that protecting children from preventable parasitic infections is a foundational step toward a healthier, more productive Cross River State.
"Our goal is to ensure that no child in the targeted 14 LGAs is left behind," Dr. Otu stated. "We call on parents, teachers, and community leaders to cooperate fully with our health workers to make this exercise a resounding success."
𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑪𝑹𝑺𝑷𝑯𝑪𝑫𝑨
The Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency is dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and quality primary healthcare services to all residents of the state, focusing on maternal and child health, immunizations, and disease prevention.
