Wurapong (Ash), June 15, GNA - The Atwima-Nwabiagya District Education Directorate under its School Health Education Programme (SHEP) on Tuesday dewormed more than 1,400 pupils in four deprived rural community schools.

The community schools were Boahenkwaa Basic School, Islamic Primary School, Wurapong and Adagya basic schools with the support of Kama Health Services in Kumasi that donated large quantities of Albendazale tablets and Kerzol oral suspension.

Madam Comfort Irene Badu, the District SHEP Co-ordinator, said the exercise formed part of the directorate's health programme to rid the pupils of any health hazards and it would be extended to other deprived rural community schools.

These are Nkontomire, Akuapim, Ahwiaa, Ntabanu, Beposo, Kyereyeaase, Kwamedwaa, Bedabour and Nkorang. All the basic schools in the directorate, she said, have also been provided with basic first aid drugs such as paracetamol, aluminium hydroxide, plaster, gentian violet paint and absorbent pure cotton wool. Mr Stephen Gyasi Debrah, the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Officer at the directorate, stressed the importance of environmental cleanliness and pupils personal hygiene to enhance teaching and learning.

He advised school communities to provide adequate facilities to improve the sanitation of the schools.

Madam Faustina Berko Fordjour, a public health nurse at Barekese Health Centre, advised the pupils to practise personal hygiene by cutting their nails, bushy hair, clean their teeth daily and wash their hands before and after meals.

Opanin Yaw Afriyie Siaw, the Wurapong Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman, expressed the community's appreciation and gratitude to the directorate and advised the parents to ensure the proper health of their children.