When TuFace, pupils campaigned against guinea worm

The pupils had what could be described as their best day ever in school as they sang and danced in ecstasy with the music celebrity. The pupils could not believe that they were actually singing along with the man they have only had to listen to his music and watch him perform on television or […]

The pupils had what could be described as their best day ever in school as they sang and danced in ecstasy with the music celebrity. The pupils could not believe that they were actually singing along with the man they have only had to listen to his music and watch him perform on television or on the radio.The pupils were wide-eyed with joy as they demanded for a song from TuFace and he sang African Queen with them.

Before the celebrity came up, the pupils had rendered a welcome song in both English and Gbagyi languages, but there was excitement in their performance. The coming of TuFace electrified their voices and they sang on top of their voices: “No more guinea worm disease.”

They also staged a drama on the need to report suspected cases of guinea worm to the appropriate authorities. But it was when TuFace explained to them the causes of the disease that their interests came shine.

“A person with guinea worm enters a pond or stream and the emerging worm discharges its larvae into the pond or stream—another person that drinks the water will have guinea worm disease 12 months later.

“Prevent persons with guinea worm disease from entering drinking ponds or streams, filter pond or stream water with filter that is in good condition before drinking, treat pond or stream water with Abate (water puritant)before drinking and drink only safe water from borehole and protected hand dug wells,” the pupils were told.

 The celebrity was then called upon by NIGEP to present gifts of bags to the cast of the drama as they beamed with smiles.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of NIGEP, Mrs Ifeoma Anagbogu, in her welcome address enjoined the students to help spread the message of guinea worm eradication in Nigeria.

According to her, “We are targeting the children. We found out that children of this age group do not seem to know much about guinea worm disease because right from when they were born, we haven’t had cases of guinea worm, especially around the FCT. So we are focusing on this age group to help us disseminate and sustain the campaign. At the same time, we are using them like contact to reach out to other children in the society.”

She said Nigeria has interrupted guinea worm disease transmission and will soon be reaching pre-certification stage of the eradication programme and that was why it was pertinent to engage the children to ensure sustainability and consolidation. “It is for them to help inform others about the cash reward of N10, 000 for prompt rewarding,” she said.

She added that religious and community based organizations were also targeted to keep the flag of the campaign flying. “We do not have guinea worm disease any more but we must maintain this status quo, we must tell others to report any suspected case of guinea worm disease to the nearest health facility or health worker.