Bhubaneswar: Department of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Departments of Women & Child Development, School and Mass Education, ST & SC Development and Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water are conducting the biannual mass de-worming across the State in all schools and Angan Wadi Centres (AWCs).
Intensive awareness generation activities focusing on the benefits of consuming Albendazole and adoption of Water Sanitation & Hygiene practices (WASH) are also undertaken.
The Health and Family Welfare Department has written a letter to all Collectors and Commissioners of Municipal Corporations for effective implementation of the National De-worming Day, August 2023 round.
This year, National De-worming Day (NDD) August 2023 round will be held on 10.08.2023 and Mop Up Day on 17.08.2023 in 19 districts i.e. Balasore, Bhadrak, Bolangir, Boudh, Cuttack, Deogarh, Gajapati, Jagatsighpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Kendrapada, Khurdha, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Puri & Raygada. Under NDD, the children aged 1-19 years and Women of Reproductive Age 20-24 years (Non-pregnant Non-lactating) shall be provided with Albendazole (suspension/ tablet) at respective schools and AWCs by Teachers & AVVWs.
In the rest of the 11 LF-MDA districts ( Angul, Bargarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Mayurbhanj) 1-2 year age group children will be provided with Albendazole suspension in Routine Immunisation sessions. Concerted efforts from all concerned departments at the district and block level are required to ensure effective implementation and increased coverage of the programme.
Soil transmitted helminths (STH) is a significant public health concern in India. As per GoI estimate 29.7% of children of our State have STH. STH is detrimental to physical and cognitive development of children. In areas where parasitic worms are endemic, administering safe, effective deworming drug to the children at schools and AWCs leads to significant improvement in outcomes related to education, career choice, earnings, and long-term well-being.
