National Deworming Day is observed on 10 February annually to spread awareness about the importance of deworming in all preschool and children of school age between 1 to 19 years.
Context
National Deworming Day is observed on 10 February annually to spread awareness about the importance of deworming in all preschool and children of school age between 1 to 19 years.
About the National Deworming Day
- The National Deworming Day is a single fixed-day approach to treating intestinal worm infections in all children aged 1- 19 years.
- It aims to mobilize health personnel, state governments and other stakeholders to prioritize investment in control of Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections, one of the most common infections.
- All the children are provided deworming tablets in schools and anganwadis.
- Besides the deworming tablet, various health promotion activities related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) are organised in schools and anganwadis.
- The NDD program is a cost-effective program at scale that continues to reach crores of children and adolescents with deworming benefits through a safe medicine Albendazole.
Background
- India carries the highest burden of worm infestation and 64% of the Indian population less than 14 years of age are at risk of Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) or worms’ infestation (WHO).
- Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) interfere with nutrients uptake in children; can lead to anaemia, malnourishment and impaired mental and physical development.
- The situation of undernutrition and anaemia which is linked to STH ranges from 40% to 70% in different population groups across the country (WHO).
- They also pose a serious threat to children’s education and productivity later in life.
Significance of the day
- Parasitic worms are a menace to society, both for people and animals. It is impossible to prevent worm infestation since children come in contact with soil while playing outside.
- Worm infestations can reduce the quality of life in children, stunt their physical growth and mental development.
- This may lead to poor productivity in schools, affect their attendance and hamper their education and future.
- Hence, timely and proper deworming of children is a necessity. Intestinal worms are found in the gastrointestinal tract and they damage the body.
- Regularly washing hands with soap and hot water before and after using the toilet can prevent intestinal worms.
