Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 09 February 2023
The Government of India is committed towards Anaemia Mukt Bharat and a worm-free future for the children of India. Worm infestation impair the nutritional status of the children. The nutritional impairment has significant impact on growth and physical development. Worms consume nutrients meant for the human body and cause blood loss, poor nutrition and stunted growth. Due to heavy infection, children are often too sick or tired to concentrate at school or attend School/ Anganwadi. Worm infestation negatively affect children’s physical and cognitive development which could have long term negative impact on them. Studies show that absenteeism in schools decreases with regular deworming.
In order to reduce the load of intestinal worms which is a major cause of Anaemia and related morbidity in the country, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in coordination with Department of Women and Child Development and Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of India has initiated National De-worming Day (NDD) all over the country, where in all children and adolescents from 1-19 years of age are given de-worming tablet through the platform of Schools and Anganwadi Centres.
National De-worming Day 2023 (First Round) will be implemented in our Islands on 10th February, 2023 followed by Mop up on 17th February, 2023. During this round, Albendazole Tablet will be administered through Schools and Anganwadi Centers.
All parents have been requested to ensure that their children are administered Tab Albendazole in Schools and Anganwadi Centres. The general public has also been requested to extend their cooperation to ANMs, Anganwadi Workers and ASHAs and give wide publicity for the effective implementation of the National De-worming Day, 2023 in A&N Islands.