Johannesburg – Thousands of learners across the country have or will be dewormed through the national deworming programme launched by the departments of Health and Basic Education (DBE) earlier this month.
The DBE said on Monday that it hoped the minimum target of regular administration of deworming medication to at least 75% of school age children could be attained through the roll-out initiated on February 16.
South Africa is a signatory to the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution 54.19 (May 2001), which calls for regular, synchronised treatment of worms in high-risk groups.
Deworming is currently rolled with the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV) programme under the supervision of professional nurses at schools.
Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced in her budget vote speech that the DBE will use the 7m Mebendazole 500mg tablets donated by the World Health Organisation to deworm learners.
The quality of these tablets was assured by the pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson.
They are considered completely safe with mild side effects in only rare occasions. Learners using chronic medication are also placed under no further risk.
On-site school health nurses will be available to mitigate side effects.
Educators were orientated on worm infestations and the deworming process to which parents are required to give consent by signing a consent form.
There are at least four legal principles excluding liability of an educator.
They emphasise the fact that this is a voluntary programme during which parents have consented to the medication being provided to their children and that educators have acted within the course and scope of their employment.
The liability of educators is also excluded in terms of section 60(1) of the South African Schools Act declaring the state’s responsibility should any damage be incurred during a public school activity.
Furthermore, educators cannot be liable for the products of a pharmaceutical company.
It is estimated that South Africa has a prevalence rate of parasitic worm infestations of between 40 and 90% amongst learners. These infections harm their health and development and can negatively impact on educational and economic achievement.
African News Agency
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