Over the last couple of years”the Worms Wars have dominated the news in a heated debate on the efficacy of mass-treatments for parasitic worm infections, particularly soil-transmitted helminths, as well as the schistosomiasis.
A 2021 study conducted by a team of development economists, which included Nobel award recipient Michael Kremer, found that treatment for deworming improved school attendance for children and that some effects remained in place through adulthood. Additionally, they discovered that those who had an additional two or three years of deworming as children can enjoy “an increase of 14% in consumer spending, 13% in hourly earnings, 9% in non-agricultural work hours, and are 9% more likely to live in urban areas”. The study suggests that deworming in mass amounts can provide an all-encompassing social benefit, resulting in around 37% that returns on investments.
The treatment is cost-effective but the current financial support is not enough
Around the world, around two billion people are afflicted by parasitic worms. Children of school age play a crucial part in transmitting the disease and often suffer the most from disease, which is related to the amount of worms they’re affected by. If not treated, the infection could cause organ destruction, malnutrition and a slow physical development.
Mebendazole Praziquantel as well as other equipment required to conduct a deworming program in Madagascar. (c) SCI Foundation/END Fund/Viviane Rakotoarivony
The cost of drugs is not high In fact treatment costs less than diagnosis. In the case of SCI Foundation, we have determined PS0.33 as the cost average of treatment per child each year. Treatments are cost-effective due to:
They are distributed in large drug administration campaigns, eliminating the need to examine each case of suspected parasitic worms.
The World Health Organization Drug Donation Programme where pharmaceuticals are donated by manufacturers and distributes the drugs at no cost;
Local volunteers, which includes teachers from schools, distribute the medication and
Drug distributors are educated by the programs offered by The Ministry of Health or Education.
A regular and consistent approach to treatment is crucial to keep the advantages of deworming. However, the changing international humanitarian and donor environment has dramatically changed this need. Over the past few years, the total quantity of donors that have invested in deworming efforts has dwindled.
The lack of diverse funding poses a threat to the sustainability and autonomy of programs and could hinder advancement in decreasing this burden. worms in communities that are marginalized. This Hamory et al study is a clear reminder of the negative effects that delays in treatment because of funding cuts could affect children who, are not receiving treatment may be affected in 20 years in the future.
What impact can the amount you earn each day impact?
In Madagascar a health professional records the name of the child, the medicine that was given to him, and the amount depending on his size. (c) SCI Foundation/END Fund/Viviane Rakotoarivony
On the basis of a UK average wage A donation of one day’s wage could benefit around 238 children* in countries where parasitic worms are widespread. Any amount allows children to live their fully and enjoy life to the fullest extent; therefore, it’s an investment worth it in their future earning potential, health and well-being.
What will your daily wage Where will the money you earn from your day’s work
SCIF currently assists Ministries of Health in 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to provide treatments for schistosomiasis as well as soil-transmitted helminth infection. Implementing programs that are owned by the country and supervised promotes sustainability as well as enhances health systems, as was recently highlighted by the World Health Organization.
The SCIF’s emphasis on monitoring and evaluation helps ensure that the programs we fund remain efficient and cost-effective. We continually evaluate the effectiveness of our programs in order to inform our the future program and improve access to treatment for vulnerable children to ensure that children living in these communities will benefit from the economic benefits that were observed in the Hamory and al study.
To this end, GiveWell is a non-profit organization which recommends giving opportunities with high impact and has endorsed SCIF as an most reputable charity in the last decade.
Make a commitment to build a better world
The immediate, intermediate and long-term benefits of mass deworming programs offer proof of the effectiveness of these health interventions. If the continued operation of deworming ceases as well as the positive effect they bring. Therefore, it is essential that the programs continue to help those at risk populations continuously.
