The National Deworming Day (NDD) is organised biannually in all states and Union Territories (UTs) across India to eradicate intestinal worms also referred to as Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH), among children of age 1-19 years. The 1st round is conducted in February and the 2nd round is conducted in August.
- In 2024, the first round of NDD is observed on February 10, 2024, with a mop-up day (MUD) followed by the next day of NDD or on which the state government decides.
Background:
i.NDD is a flagship program of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) which was launched in 2015.
ii.The day was first observed on 10th February 2015.
iii.NDD, as a part of the National Health Mission(NHM), was initially observed in 11 states and UT: Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura.
Significance:
i.NDD utilises the platform of schools and anganwadi centres to deworm all preschool and school-age children.
ii.This is one of the largest public health programs reaching a large number of children during a short period.
iii.NDD ultimately aims to improve the overall health, nutritional status, access to education, and quality of life of children.
Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH):
i.Helminths (worms) which are transmitted through soil contaminated with fecal matter are called soil-transmitted helminths (Intestinal parasitic worms).
ii.The three types of worms that infect people are roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuris trichiura), and hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale).
iii.STH infection can lead to anaemia, malnutrition, impaired physical, mental & cognitive development, and reduced school participation.
What is Deworming?
i.Deworming is giving medicine to remove harmful intestinal worms from people or animals.
ii.These worms can hinder growth, learning, and overall health in case of children.
Additional Info:
Albendazole and mebendazole tablet, approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), is used for the treatment of intestinal worms in children and adolescents as part of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programmes globally.
Note :
Children who are sick or are on medication on deworming day/MUD should not be given the drug. These children should be advised to take Albendazole tablet upon recovery or after consultation with the medical doctor.
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW):
Union Minister – Mansukh Mandaviya (Rajya Sabha – Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – Bharati Pravin Pawar (Constituency – Dindori, Maharashtra), S. P. Singh Baghel (Constituency – Agra, Uttar Paresh)
