Tanjung Manis - In its effort to reduce acute intestinal parasitic infection amongst rural school children, Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM) has donated RM50,000 worth of CHAMPS D-Worm 6 to eight primary schools in Sarawak.

The deworming initiative is part of CCM''s corporate responsibility commitment towards improving the health and overall well being of children, especially those who have limited access to clean water supply and proper sanitation.

The donation held in conjunction with the Malaysian Unit Trust Week 2010 (MSAM) will benefit eight schools in Pulau Bruit, Tanjung Manis namely Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Penipah, Sekolah Kebangsaan OKM Pakeri Paloh, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Bruit, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Betanak, Sekolah Kebangsaan Semop, Sekolah Kebangsaan Salah Kecil, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Tekajong, and Sekolah Kebangsaan Sebako.

Intestinal parasites cause diarrhea and blood loss leading to iron-deficiency anemia and malnutrition. The parasites consume the food in afflicted children leading to malnutrition and impairment of physical and mental health development and not enabling them from growing and developing properly.

CCM Bhd Group Managing Director, Dato'' Dr Mohd Hashim Tajudin said children infected with intestinal worms tend to feel lethargic and experience poor learning development and weak immune systems.

"As a result, they are unable to concentrate in class and do not learn as much as they should, affecting their intellectual growth and academic performance. They also fall sick more frequently and this increases the high rate of absenteeism.

"Regular deworming is a cost effective and safe approach to tackle parasite infestation amongst school children. Our CHAMPS D-Worm 6 range consists of chewable chocolate flavoured tablets that can successfully eliminate six types of worms most commonly found in the stomach - pinworm, whipworm, roundworm, hookworm, threadworm and tapeworm," said Dato'' Dr Mohd Hashim.

"Deworming can make such a huge difference to children'' s lives and helps them to grow up healthy and to become productive adults and contribute to the economic development of their community later in life," Dato''Dr Mohd Hashim added.

Dato'' Dr Mohd Hashim hopes that CCM''s contribution will encourage and support deworming efforts across all eight schools to ensure that eligible children receive the proper treatment that they need.

"Children are the leaders of tomorrow and should have the right to grow strong and healthy. We want to educate communities on ways to improve their health and living conditions as well as empowering them to take greater ownership of their wellness," he added.

CCM is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia and is a key player in the fertilizers, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry.

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Issued with the compliments of Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad
TBy Eric Pringle Associates Public Relations Sdn Bhd.
For further information, please contact Ida Fazila Ismail
at Tel no: 21617144 or email: ifazila@epapr.com.my