Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 10 February 2025
National De-worming Day was observed across all government and private schools, as well as Anganwadi centers in the Union Territory on February 10, 2025. The Directorate of Health Services, in collaboration with the UT Health Mission and in coordination with the Directorate of Social Welfare and Directorate of Education, organized a state-level program to mark the occasion. The event was held in the conference hall of Government Senior Secondary School, Mohanpura, with the objective of deworming children between the ages of 1 and 19 through a fixed-day approach.
Dr. Anil Agarwal, Secretary (Health) and Mission Director (NHM), graced the event as the chief guest, while the Director of Education attended as the guest of honor.
In his address, Dr. Agarwal stressed the importance of personal hygiene in preventing worm infestations. He urged students, teachers, and parents to focus on practices like washing hands with soap before eating and after defecation, wearing footwear, and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly. He highlighted how these measures, coupled with regular deworming, can contribute significantly to children’s health.
Dr. Avijit Roy, Joint Secretary (RCH-II), delivered the keynote address, while Dr. H.M. Siddaraju, Director of Health Services (I/C), spoke about the significance of the day and emphasized the safety and effectiveness of administering Albendazole tablets without serious side effects.
To mark the official launch of the program, the dignitaries administered Albendazole tablets to the children present at the event.
The program witnessed participation from various stakeholders, including program officers from the Directorate of Health Services, medical officers from the RBSK team, health educators, ANMs, Anganwadi workers, Mukhya Sevikas, teachers, and students of Government Senior Secondary School, Mohanpura.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri P. Yusuf, Health Educator, Directorate of Health Services.