THE government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a pilot initiative aimed at eliminating schistosomiasis among children under the age of five in high-burden regions around Lake Victoria.

Dr. Seif Shekalaghe, the Health permanent secretary, made this affirmation at the launching of a schistosomiasis research workshop in Mwanza city at mid-week, asserting that studies have shown that children under five can contract schistosomiasis,

The disease, caused by parasitic flatworms thriving in freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers and ponds, disproportionately affects communities living on Lake Victoria shores, with the neglected tropical disease remaining a persistent public health challenge in Simiyu, Mwanza and Kigoma regions, he said.

The pilot programme, implemented through an access and delivery partnership (ADP), comes after the government realized that schistosomiasis could infect children under five, meanwhile as there were no specific medicines for the age group, he stated.

Now, research has helped the health authorities identify a drug that can be used to treat children, such that the 18-month pilot project, known as STEPPS, led by the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)o is moving to reach out to children in the specific areas.

 With funding from the government of Japan along with a aediatric medicines consortium and the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) fund, the project represents the first structured effort in Tanzania to provide treatment specifically formulated for children under five years of age.

Dr. Paul Kazyoba, principal investigator for STEPPS project and chief research officer at NIMR, said evidence gathered in recent years confirmed that infection rates among children under five had been underestimated.

“In the Lake Zone, parasitic infections are among the most pressing health challenges, particularly schistosomiasis. Previously, interventions focused on children aged six to fourteen. However, research has shown that children below five years are also significantly affected,” he explained.

The initiative is intended to reach more than 25,000 children in Itilima, Sengerema and Kigoma districts, where health facilities have undergone assessment and selected staff received applicable training to diagnose and administer the newly developed paediatric treatment, he said.

 After one year, trained personnel are expected to become regional trainers to support a national scale-upo of the programme, he said, with local health officials welcoming this intervention. Rachel Steven, the Sengerema District coordinator for neglected tropical diseases described the programme as transformative. “We are tackling schistosomiasis at its roots by beginning with the youngest children,” she said.

The early treatment strategy seeks to protect children’s growth, cognitive development and long-term health. Previously, young children often received adult formulations without precise dosage adjustments, she stated.

Parents in affected communities have already begun to witness change. Martin Joseph, a father from Zagayu village in Itilima District, said his children had suffered symptoms including blood in urine. “I sought medical help and have now brought them for treatment. I will return for follow-up to ensure they recover fully,” he said.

The project works closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), PATH (a global activist health organisation) and the special programme for research and training in tropical diseases (TDR). Paediatric medicines used in the trial are supplied by the German pharmaceutical company, Merck Healthcare.

Officials express confidence that results from the pilot programme will guide national policy and enable Tanzania to expand access to child-specific schistosomiasis treatment domestically and across neighbouring countries.