POLOKWANE – Efforts to improve child health across the province continue as clinics and schools work together to remind parents about the importance of deworming programmes.

Health professionals say regular deworming is a simple but critical step in keeping children strong, healthy and ready to learn.

Worm infections are especially common in young children who spend time playing outdoors.

Parasites often enter the body through contaminated food, soil or unwashed hands, and can lead to symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss and slowed growth.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children in high-risk areas should be dewormed every six months from the age of one.

Regular deworming reduces the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and supports both physical development and cognitive performance.

Mankweng Hospital nurse Rahab Phela said worm infections affect more than just physical health.

“Children who have worms struggle with concentration in class. Deworming helps improve their energy levels and school performance,” she explained.

The WHO adds that deworming is one of the most effective public-health interventions for children. It benefits individuals and communities by lowering infection rates and reducing the long-term impact of parasitic illnesses.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to speak to healthcare professionals for the correct deworming schedule and treatment suitable for their child’s age and health needs.