NHM readies for National Deworming Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 09 2018:
National Health Mission (NHM), Mission State Director, Dr K Rajo Singh has conveyed that the stage is all set for deworming children belonging to the age group of 1 and 19 years, on National Deworming Day which falls on February 13.He also added that the Mop-up Day (for children who failed get dewormed on February 13) will be held on February 20.Speaking to media persons at his office at Lamphel, Dr Rajo, who is also the Director of Family Welfare Services, Manipur, stated that both school going children and out of school children, who are 1 to 19 years old, will be covered by the deworming mission/programmes that will be held on National Deworming Day and Mop-up Day.
He also informed that the mission is setting a total target of 1,067, 247 children in the State.
The target comprises of 3, 62, 453 number of children whose age are from 1 to 5 years and are studying in Anganwadi Centres.
Of the children belonging to the age group of 6 to 9 years, 2,75,989 children are from Government and Government Aided Schools while 3,56,870 are in private schools and 72, 535 are out of school children, he elaborated.
He stated that the aim of the mission (under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India) is to eliminate the morbidity and mortality rate of children in the country by 2020.Noting that the prevalence rate of worm infection in Manipur is still high, at around 48 percent, Rajo maintained that the State organizes/ conducts deworming program twice in a year with the aim of reducing the prevalence rate.
Stressing on the importance of deworming children, the Mission Director stated that if worms of several types enter the human body, particularly children, its larvae/eggs will multiply rapidly inside the intestine and ultimately affect the overall health condition of the child.
After the worms enter someone's intestine, they extract/eat up all the nutrients received by the body resulting in weakness/fatigue, loss of concentration and sometimes lead to anaemia and many other diseases.
If the worms reach the lungs, they can cause pneumonia and if it (the worms) reaches brain, it can even cause neurological defects.
Worms infection usually occur in children, and it affects their health conditions as well as their overall education performance, as children having worms are weak, lethargic and usually lose their concentration power.
However, if Albendazole tablet (400 mg) is administered to the children, they can be protected from the infection caused by worms and it will also give them a healthy and sound life, Razo maintained adding the tablet will be given free of cost on February 14 and February 20.He also conveyed that the deworming programmes will be conducted in collaboration with various Departments by engaging ASHAS, health workers, Anganwadi workers, school staff as well as other officials.
On the other hand, All Manipur Recognised Private School Welfare Association secretary L Joy has urged the parents and guardians to de-worm their children in the coming deworming day and mop up day.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, he appealed to all the school authorities to take part in the initiative and perform deworming of all the eligible students in their school during the programme.
He explained that the respective district's ZEO will procure the tablets necessary for the deworming programme and then distribute the tablets to the respective schools.
He also wished luck to the students who are appearing this year's HSLC Examination.
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