First National Deworming day observed

First National Deworming day is being observed across the country.

As a part of this programme Government aims to de-worm around 27 crore  pre-school and school-age children this year. The initiative will be carried out at schools and anganwadi centres . And aims  at improving the children's overall health and quality of life. According to a study, over 24 crore children in the age group of 1-19 years are suffering from worm infections which is around 68% of the total population  of children in India. Treatment of this infection is very simple, but most of the times, ignorance  on the part of parents make situation worse. the poor strata of the society is the  most affected. Considering the severity of the situation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  is implementing the National Deworming Day in schools and preschools or  anganwadis across the country today. The government has set a target of deworming approximately 27 crore children  across the country. The government started the deworming campaign last year under which over 9  crore children out of total 10 crore 31 lakh children received deworming tablet. A study done by World Health Organization tells most of the children between  the age of 5-15 years fall prey to worm infections as this is the age when they  play outside more and come in contact with other children. This is serious as worm infections are transmitted through the mouth by eating with dirty hands, eating contaminated food and drinking water that is not potable. Besides medicine, worm infections can be prevented by using clean toilets,  not walkign barefoot, cleaning hands with soap and water before eating or handling food. The National Deworming Day will be followed by a mop-up day on 15th  of February to administer the deworming tablet to children who were absent from  the school or anganwadi on 10th of February. (BK)