The Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda declared February 10 as the National Deworming Day – an initiative focused on reducing the threat of parasitic worm infections in India. Worm infection is a widespread health issue affecting over 241 million children in India alone. The medicines will be given to children up to the age of 5 years at Anganwadi centres, while children aged between 6 to 19 years will be provided medication at all government schools.
Albendazole will be orally administered to pre–school and school-going children ages 1-19 years in government schools and anganwadi centres across the states of Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Tripura.
Knowledge is Wealth
- Worm infestation is very common health problem in all ages of people.
- Parasitic worms like round worm, pin worm, hook worm etc spread to humans through untidy hands, unhygienic practices and poor sanitation facilities.
- Millions of children are affected with parasitic worms all over the world.
- Worms are highly detrimental to children’s health and also affects their cognitive development.
- Deworming can be done using prescribed drugs for every four to six months.