The first nationwide Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) survey indicates that an estimated combined school-age (5-15 years old) population of 17 million children are infected with STH in 40 high-risk districts across Pakistan posing serious threat to children’s health, education, and productivity.

Dated : 6 August 2018

Earlier, on 15th May 2018, the Ministry of Planning Development & Reforms (M/o PD&R) organized a dissemination event at the auditorium of Planning Commission, P-Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad to discuss the findings of “1st Nationwide Soil-Transmitted Helminths Prevalence Survey in Pakistan”.
The findings of the survey revealed that STH is prevalent in 40 districts of Pakistan, including Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), warranting mass-drug administration to approximately 17 million children. Planning Commission decided to initiate the school-based deworming program for school-age children at first and subsequently expanding it to the other at-risk population groups.
To address the issue it was mutually agreed to formulate a Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee to be led by the M/o PD&R. Subsequently, on the directions of Secretary M/o PD&R, a Steering Committee was notified under the Chairpersonship of Member Social Sector & Devolution and to be headed by the Chief Health - Planning Commission. Other members of the Steering Committee includes Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination (M/o NHSR&C), Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony, Capital Development Authority/ Municipal Corporation Islamabad, Health Department – ICT Administration, to provide strategic leadership and oversight to the program.
A Drafting Committee was notified on the directions of Steering Committee to formulate a Policy & Institutional Framework to guide school-based deworming program implementation. The Policy & Institutional Framework is developed and reviewed by the Steering Committee, and subsequently approved by the Secretary M/o PD&R.
The framework will guide the implementation of school-based deworming program to target 17 million school-age children. The framework directed formulation of Implementation Committees having the representation of all the relevant departments for the smooth program implementation at ICT level. The Implementation Committee will be chaired by Joint Secretary (Education) Capital Administration & Development Division (CA&DD).
To orient the Implementation Committee members on the Policy & Institutional Framework, Health Section – M/o PD&R organized an event on 7th August 2018 at Committee Room of P-Block, Pakistan Secretariat. The event was attended by the officials from Capital Administration and Development Division, Federal Directorate of Education, Health Department – ICT Administration, CDA/MCI, M/o NHSRC, M/o PD&R, Auqaf Department, Private Education Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA), WHO, IRD and Evidence Action.
The deworming tablets are being provided free of cost by pharmaceutical companies through WHO to M/o NHSR&C to deworm 17 million children in Pakistan.