Various districts across Nagaland observed ‘National Deworming Day’ (NDD) on Friday and administered albendazole tablet to all children between the age of 1 to 9 years. The day is observed on February 10 every year initiated by the government of India to deworm all the children.
Worms are parasites, which live in human intestines for food and survival. They consume nutrients meant for the human body and cause blood loss, poor nutrition and stunt growth.
The National Deworming Day would be followed by a mop-up day (MUD) on February 15 with the intent of deworming children who missed the dose on February 10.
Wokha: District Health Society, Wokha, under the department of Health and Family Welfare observed ‘National Deworming Day’ at Euro Kids International Pre-School, Blue Hill Colony in Wokha town on Friday.
An update from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Wokha, stated that Dr. Lirenthung Khuvung, medical officer of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, Wokha, has explained the various symptoms of worm infestation and its negative impact on the overall growth and development of a child.
The direct benefits of taking de-worming tablets, according to Dr. Khuvung, included reduction in anaemia cases and improvement in nutritional health. He also emphasised on the indirect benefits such as improvement of immune system and concentration, overall physical growth and mental development.
He stated that avoiding open defecation, washing food items before consumption, following hand hygiene and keeping the surrounding clean could reduce chances of worm infestation.
Chumchano Kikon, proprietor of Euro Kids International Pre-School, thanked the health workers for the taking the initiative to sensitise the beneficiaries on de-worming.
The children were later administered albendazole tablets by the health and Anganwadi workers.
Mon: The deputy commissioner of Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma, launched the National Deworming Day (NDD) at Konjong Higher Secondary School in Mon town on Friday.
During the launch programme, Verma highlighted the significance of the day and encouraged to maintain personal hygiene and a clean environment free from germs.
Also speaking on the occasion, the chief medical officer (CMO) of Mon, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo, informed that the National De-worming Day is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India, to make every child worm-free in the country. The officer stated that NDD is to de-worm all pre-school children between the age of 1 to 19 years through the platform of schools and Anganwadi centers in order to improve their overall health, nutritional status, access to education, and quality of life.
Tuensang: District Health Society, Tuensang, launched the 1st round of National De-wornming Day (NDD) at Bethesda School in Tuensang town on Friday.
During the launch event, the district epidemiologist, Dr. John Shupao, presented an overview of the programme. He also sensitised the students on physical hygiene and awareness on NDD.
It stated that Albendazole tablets were administered to around 200 students during the programme.
Mokokchung: Mokokchung district observed ‘National Deworming Day’ in schools, Anganwadi centres and health units.
A programme was held at Hill View Higher Secondary School in Mokokchung town, wherein Dr. Imsongienla, MO (Ayush), gave a health talk on the effects of parasitic worms to health, importance of hygiene and its treatment to the students and teachers. She stated that the objective of the day was to de-worm children and adolescents to reduce the prevalence of parasitic worms in the intestine. She also demonstrated hand hygiene steps to the students.
Later, RBSK team along with staff from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Mokokchung, administered Albendazole tablet to the children.
Phek: The ‘National Deworming Day’ was launched in the office of the chief medical officer (CMO) in Phek town on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K Pewezo Khalo, DPO (RCH/UIP), Phek, informed that all children between the age of 1 to 9 years would be de-wormed by administering one tablet of albendazole in both the schools and Anganwadi centres throughout the district.
He appealed to the parents, teachers, and healthcare workers to facilitate the children and receive the medicine. He also appealed to the School Education and Social Welfare/ICDS departments to observe the day by administering the medicine to all the beneficiaries in order to improve their overall health.
