National Deworming Day held
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 10 2017: The National Deworming Day was held today on the theme 'Worm free children are healthy children' at Anganwadi Centre, Shamushang, Naoremthong, Imphal West.

The function was jointly organised by the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur and Department of Education (S) under the aegis of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

As part of the function, children were administered Albendazole 400 mg tablet free of cost to control worm infections.

Speaking at the function, JC Ramthanga, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur said a series of meeting were held to make the National Deworming Day successful and to raise mass awareness.

He said it is also important for different Government Departments and other stakeholders to come together to make such programme a success.

Dr H Ranjit Singh, Director in-charge, Health Services and Mission Director (NHM), Government of Manipur said apart from administering deworming tablets to children, it is important for parents to teach the children to maintain hygienic lifestyle.

M Lakshmikumar Singh, Commissioner Education (S), stated that a child's health reflects the health of society and the Nation as a whole. He said, "Without awareness and sensitization, the departments involved cannot achieve 100 percent success in conducted the programme.

National Deworming Day 2017 will be a grand success as it is organised jointly by three Departments" .

L Nabakishwar Singh, Director, Social Welfare, Government of Manipur stressed on early prevention of diseases and said that when a child gets sick, it affects the parents as well as the education of the child.

Deworming tablets will be administered again on February 16 to those children who have missed to get the same today.

Dr K Rajo Singh, Director, Family Welfare Services, Government of Manipur said that children are the future of the Nation.

As such, it is crucial to periodically conduct deworming for the children.

In Manipur, around 12 lakh children and teenagers between the age group of 1 and 19 are targeted under the programme this year.

4,000 schools and 11,500 Anganwadi Centres are participating for the purpose.

National Deworming Day was launched in Manipur in 2016 which was held in two phases.

Last year, Manipur achieved 90 percent of the target.

The National Deworming Day is one of the flagship programmes initiated under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare held with an objective to deworm children.

Worm infections can cause anaemia, malnourishment, impaired mental as well as physical development of the children.

It can cause serious threat to children's health, education and productivity.

Today's National Deworming Day function was also attended by officials of State Health Society, Social Welfare Department, Education (S) Department, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers and parents. National Deworming day was also held at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Akampat under the aegis of District Health Society, Imphal East.

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