Dimapur, Aug. 8 (EMN): Nagaland observed the National Deworming Day on August 8 by administering Aldendezole tablet to all the school children between the age of 1-19 years.
In Kohima, office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) observed the National De-Worming Day programme at Government High School, PWD.
SPO (RCH) Dr. Atoshe Sema, who launched the programme, said that children suffer from several harmful health issues because of worm infection such as Anaemia, nutritional impairment, loss of appetite, weakness and anxiety, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea and blood in stool.
He said that on National De-worming Day, de-worming tablets will be given free-of-cost at schools and Anganwadi centres targeting children of 1-19 years of age. He stated that de-worming controls anaemia and improves nutritional uptake while indirect benefits of de-worming helps improve immunity, concentration and capacity to learn, improve work potential and livelihood opportunity also help break the transmission cycle resulting in lesser worm infestation in the community.
MO (RBSK) Dr. Medozhatou Keretsü also demonstrated on six steps hand washing at the school premises.
In Wokha, the National Deworming Day was observed at Government High School, Wokha village, and Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Wokha, on August 8.
A brief introduction on the importance of taking deworming tablets and its impact on health was delivered by Dr. Kuokholie Savino, Ayush medical officer. He stated that the objectives of National Deworming Day in India was to de-worm all pre-school and school children between the age of 1-19 years through the platform of government aided and private schools and Anganwadi centres in order to improve their overall health, nutritional status, access to education and quality of life.
Dr. Savino also spoke on the benefits of Deworming among the children and the importance of preventing intestinal worm, infection through safe practices of hygiene and sanitation. He informed that Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) infections could lead to anaemia, malnutrition and impaired mental, physical and cognitive development and also reduce school participation in children.
In Wokha district, 354 Anganwadi centres, 163 government affiliated schools and over 30 private schools under urban Wokha were distributed with Aldendezole tablets and pamphlets on importance of de-worming.
Longleng District Health Society commemorated National De-Worming Day at St. Joseph’s School Longleng on August 8.
In a short programme, Dr Suimzenla Longkumer, Medical Officer, spoke on the importance of de-worming especially among the children between the age of 1-19 years. She also spoke on the health benefits of de-worming stating that it would improve a child’s immunity and protects from chronic illnesses caused by worms. Dr. Suimzenla also encouraged the children to wash their hands properly before eating anything and after using toilet, keep their nails short as much as possible to prevent further infections, cover fruits and vegetables and not to eat without washing, and to keep their surroundings clean.
After the short health talk, Albendazole tablet was administered by Rev. Sr. Maria, school headmistress.
The National De-worming Day was observed in all the Primary Health Centres and Sub-Centres.
