National Deworming Day to be held between Aug 10 & 23

Hyderabad: A joint study by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the State government has revealed that as many as 60 per cent of children in the age group of 1-19 are suffering from parasitic worm infestation.

The study attributed spread of parasitic work infestation to open defecation and poor standards of sanitation in the schools and residential areas.

The report said the State is endemic area for intestinal worm infestation. It stressed the need for deworming of children. Worm infestation would interfere with children’s nutrient uptake, and can lead to anaemia, malnourishment, and impaired mental, besides stunt physical development.

Deworming would improve health, nutritional, and learning abilities, reduce absenteeism in schools and increase the prospects of higher wage jobs later in life, the reported pointed out. Vakati Karuna, Mission Director, National Health Mission told The Hans India that the government would conduct the fourth round of fixed one-day school and Anganwadi based National Deworming Day between August 10 and 23.

The programme has fixed a target of giving deworming course to 94,39,820 children in the age group of 1-19 years. The impact of the programme can be assessed only after completing the fourth round of National Deworming Day.

She said Albendazole 400 mg tablet is an effective solution to control worm infections. “Deworming may have very few side effects on children, such as nausea, mild abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and fatigue in some cases.