Mass deworming in Ethiopia in the service of Universal Health Coverage

As we celebrate Universal Health Coverage Day on 12 December, we call for action to ensure all people, everywhere, can access the quality health services they need without facing financial hardship. This year, alongside others in the UHC movement, we call for strong and equitable health systems that protect everyone.

SCI Foundation supports Ministries of Health in 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to ensure that people affected by neglected tropical diseases get the treatment they need.

The COVID-19 pandemic inevitably delayed treatment for many. However, the determination of national health systems and their ability to adapt to new safety protocols has enabled the resumption of treatment. This is certainly the case in Ethiopia where a recent mass drug administration campaign to treat parasitic infections took place. (1)

Abay is a sixth-grade student emerging from Covid-19 restrictions in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, and has stellar ambitions. (2)

“When I grow up, my dream is to become a scientist exploring space. From space I can identify the gold and other natural resources that Ethiopia has, and I can use that knowledge to help my people”, he said.

Before becoming an astrophysicist, however, Abay will have to do well in his studies, and that will require much more than his own ambition and drive.

According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, close to 75 million people in Ethiopia are affected by neglected tropical diseases including schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis – parasitic worm infections that if left untreated can result in impaired physical and cognitive development, and internal organ damage. For school-aged children like Abay, this can lead to missed school days and poor educational performance. Preventing illness is therefore critical for Abay to achieve his dreams.

Primary schools across Ethiopia started opening in October, more than six months after the outbreak of Covid-19 led to nationwide school closures. One of the initial activities scheduled for the new school year was the annual deworming campaign where the Federal Ministry of Health, supported by development partners CIFF, The END Fund and SCI Foundation, provided school-aged children with deworming medicines.

Abay is fully aware that these diseases are a problem in his community:

“Today we are receiving a medication that we take every year that is called ‘deworming’ and it is good for treating Bilharzia (schistosomiasis)… and other tiny worms that can live in our intestines.

I know people who have been sick. They get sick after drinking water that is contaminated. They get stomach pains, headaches and feel nauseous. I am keeping safe by taking the medicine that the health workers give to us every year”

Tibeltalech is a health extension worker assigned to the town where Abay lives.

“We give this medicine to children every year” explained Tibeltalech. “Providing deworming medication for children is one of the activities we are responsible for.

We are able to treat children who suffer from parasitic worms, which can make them malnourished and vulnerable to various illnesses. This helps to protect the children and keeps them healthy so they can pursue their education and prevents them from missing school. We have witnessed how this intervention has benefited students, and the community is always thanking us and expressing their appreciation.”

SCI Foundation is committed to an approach that strengthens national health systems and aligns with their priorities. In Ethiopia, this means giving children a brighter future.