Corps member leads fight against parasitic worms infections in Abuja

In a remarkable display of service and dedication, Dr. Praise Akobo, a serving corps member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2024 Batch B, Stream 1, recently concluded a far-reaching personal Community Development Service (CDS) project aimed at combating parasitic worm infections among underserved populations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The initiative, tagged “Project HealthAid: Combating Parasitic Worms and Improving Health Outcomes in Underserved Communities,” spanned over three months and reached over 3,000 individuals across internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, markets, and farming communities in Abuja Municipal Area Council. The project directly aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 — ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

Motivated by her veterinary background and a growing concern for the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affecting Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, Dr. Akobo designed the project after a needs assessment conducted at Kuchingoro IDP Camp in November 2024. She witnessed the devastating effects of soil-transmitted helminths on school-aged children, including malnutrition, poor hygiene, and school absenteeism.

With support from key partners such as Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS), FCT Public Health Department, Farm Alert, YieldUp Development Initiative, The Future Destined Woman, JIDEM Foundation, Ewosim Foundation, Xtra Vet Ltd, and volunteer human and veterinary doctors, the project gained official NYSC approval in January 2025 and launched full-scale in February.

The campaign combined mass deworming exercises with intensive health education on hygiene and sanitation. Deworming tablets (mebendazole) were administered to 1,250 children and over 300 adults including teachers, farmers, traders, and NYSC members. Hygiene kits, protein-rich food (notably 500 eggs from Farm Alert), healthy food, drinks and educational materials were distributed to reinforce healthy practices.

Key project milestones included campaigns and mass deworming at Kuchingoro, Karamajiji, and Malaysia Garden IDP camps. The Malaysia Garden outreach also featured free eye examinations and treatment provided by JIDEM Foundation in collaboration with ophthalmologists from the University Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

Traders at Garki Model Market and meat vendors were sensitized on occupational risks of parasitic infections, with over 200 receiving deworming treatment. Awareness sessions were also conducted among 70 corps members and 30 farmers, ensuring the message reached different strata of society.

Through hands-on engagement, multilingual communication (including Hausa), and strong intersectoral partnerships, the project addressed critical health challenges in IDP and high-risk communities. Monitoring and evaluation efforts revealed improved school attendance, better nutrition, and heightened community awareness about NTDs.

“This project reinforced the importance of preventive health care, collaboration, and the power of education,” Dr. Akobo said. “Neglected Tropical Diseases can be eliminated if we unite and act decisively. Project HealthAid is my contribution to that vision.”

Dr. Akobo’s commitment and results-driven execution earned praise from local authorities, beneficiaries, and her fellow corps members, positioning the project as a replicable model for grassroots public health interventions in Nigeria.

Indeed, Project HealthAid stands as a testament to the impact one individual can make through vision, compassion, and coordinated action, embodying the spirit of service that defines the NYSC programme and she looks forward to scaling this initiative.