Scott Hill, Operation Blessing’s national director for Mexico, talks with local media about OBI’s annual anti-parasite campaign in Mexico.

VERACRUZ, Mexico – Operation Blessing aided Mexico in kicking off their annual National Health Week recently with a large donation of anti-parasite medicine to the State of Veracruz--the third most populous state in Mexico--to help vulnerable children in the most impoverished areas.

At the kick-off event, the governor of Veracruz publicly recognized and thanked OBI for their donation.

“Thank you for your generous and selfless cooperation,” said Governor Javier Ochoa to Scott Hill, OBI’s national director for Mexico.

Other key state and local officials were also present, including several mayors, the secretary of health, vice admiral, and local delegates.

A little girl receives anti-parasite medicine during National Health Week in Veracruz, Mexico.

Operation Blessing began working alongside Mexico’s Ministry of Health as part of OBI’s global anti-parasite campaign two years ago. Each year, OBI’s campaign helps many people through free medication and hands-on preventative training.

These initiatives are saving lives in Latin America, the Caribbean and parts of Africa. In Latin America alone, ministries of health estimate that 73.4 million school-aged children are infected with parasites.

These intestinal worms consume as much as 25 percent of the food that children eat, depriving their bodies of desperately needed nutrition. Parasites often lead to stunted growth and are one of the top causes of death in children under five.

“Children infested with parasites are always hungry, often sick, miss lots of school and suffer in terrible ways ranging from non-stop belly aches to stunted growth, chronic disease and muddled minds,” said Bill Horan, OBI president. “But with a pill and some very basic hygiene training, we can change all that.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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