98.80 lakh children in the age group of 1-19 years targeted to be dewormed
Chandigarh January 16 -
State Convergence Committee Meeting regarding National Deworming Day (NDD) Programme was held under the chairmanship of Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Haryana, Dr. Aditya Dahiya. The Government of India and NHM, Haryana State is set to implement the upcoming 15th deworming round though institute based fixed day approach where NDD will be implemented on February 15, 2024 and followed by a mop-up day on February 20, 2024.
The dosage of albedazole tablet for children 1-2 years is ½ tablet, children 3-19 years one tablet, women with reproductive age group (20-24 years), (non-pregnant and non-lactating) one tablet. The deworming treatment will be conducted by frontline health workers, namely; Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Teachers with the support of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) to all children and adolescents aged between 1-19 years and women with reproductive age group (20-24 years) non-pregnant and non-lactating.
Dr. Aditya Dahiya, MD, NHM, Haryana while giving the inaugural address said, “In response to the public health threat of intestinal worm infections in children, National Health Mission - Haryana will roll out the National Deworming Day Programme on February 15, 2024 followed by mop- up day on February 20, 2024. State is aiming to reach 98.80 lakhs children and 7 lakhs women in reproductive age group (20-24 years), and urge stakeholder departments to ensure high programme coverage of children. Since 2015, deworming has been covered under the National Deworming Day (NDD) as a single day programme implemented through the schools and anganwadis. National Deworming Day programme aims to deliver deworming treatment to all children in Haryana to improve their overall health, nutritional status, cognitive development, and quality of life.
Dr. Aditya further said, “Deworming with the safe and beneficial Albendazole tablet is an evidence-based, globally-accepted, and effective solution for controlling intestinal worm infections. National Deworming Programme has, thus, been designed to reach all children and adolescents in the state, regardless of socio-economic background. In some cases, children may experience nausea, mild abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and fatigue after deworming. These side effects are usually temporary and can be managed easily. For any adverse events, robust and well-prepared emergency response systems will be in place in all the districts during the National Deworming Day Programme. Teachers and anganwadi’s worker should keep the number of ANMs and nearest health centres readily available with them for any adverse event management. All districts to ensure all necessary preparedness prior to deworming program”.
Dr. Sushil K. Mahi, Deputy Director, RKSK, while addressing the participants said, “With the objective of ensuring health and safety for all, Haryana will make special efforts to covered all children by institute based fixed day approach, so that all children in the state can benefit from deworming treatment. NHM will facilitate training of all frontline workers (Teachers /AWWs /ASHAs /ANMs) and health functionaries involved in the programme for administering Albendazole in all 22 districts. Parents and guardians are requested to provide their full cooperation and support to the frontline health workers during deworming.