Children¡¯s medicines on way to N. Korea

Health and medical support programs for North Korea at the private level went into full swing with the start of a project to help get rid of intestinal worms among children.

The Korean People`s Welfare Foundation, led by Lee Sung-Hee and Dong-A Ilbo, decided to launch the project and Tuesday delivered medicines, including treatments for worms, worth 2.26 billion won (about US$2.01 million) to the North via the Inchon-Nampo route.

Donators of the drugs include Shin Poong Pharmaceutical Co.

The medicines delivered through the North`s Asia Pacific Peace Commission will be supplied to Pyongyang First People`s Hospital via the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea Medical Society.

About 2.5 million children under the age of 13 will use the drug to get rid of intestinal worms.

The project is assisted by the Korea Health Management Association.

The move heralds that medical support programs for North Korea at the private level will get into stride after the successful inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang last month.