BHUBANESWAR: The state government has asked the district administration and municipal corporations to effectively implement National Deworming Day on August 10 this year. If anybody misses the deworming dose on August 10, he or she can take it on August 17.
Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are a significant public health concern in India. Around 29.4 percent of children in Odisha have STH. STH is detrimental to the physical and cognitive development of children. Deworming is a tool to combat this problem, said official sources.
The initiative aims to combat the prevalence of parasitic worm infections, particularly among children, which can lead to various health issues such as anemia, malnutrition, and impaired cognitive development. The mop-up day is an additional opportunity aimed at ensuring that no child is left out of the deworming program.
“In areas where parasitic worms are endemic, administering a safe, effective deworming drug to children at schools and Anganwadi centers (AWCs) leads to significant improvement in outcomes related to education, career choices, earnings, and long-term well-being,” said the official government order.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development, School and Mass Education Department, ST and SC Development Department, and Panchayati Raj Department, are conducting the biannual mass deworming across the state in all schools and AWCs.
Official sources said intensive awareness generation activities focusing on the benefits of consuming Albendazole and the adoption of water, sanitation, and hygiene practices (WASH) are also undertaken. “A government order has been issued to district collectors and commissioners of municipal corporations to take necessary steps for the successful implementation of the program,” said a health department officer.
The district administration and municipal corporations have been tasked with the responsibility of raising awareness about the importance of deworming among parents, teachers, and the community at large. They will conduct information campaigns, distribute educational materials, and engage with local stakeholders to promote the benefits of the deworming initiative.
The health department will closely monitor the implementation of National Deworming Day, ensuring that the tablets are administered safely and efficiently. They will also collect data on the number of children dewormed and any adverse events reported, to assess the program’s effectiveness and make necessary improvements for future campaigns.