Bhubaneswar: To improve child health, tackle anaemia and prevent parasitic worm infections, the Odisha government, in collaboration with UNICEF, will launch state-wide National Deworming Day (NDD) programme August 10.
Under the campaign, Albendazole tablets will be administered to more than 1.61 crore children aged between 1 and 19 years and over 19 lakh women in the reproductive age group of 20 to 24 years across all 30 districts. The beneficiaries include 32,94,630 children aged 1 to 5 years in NDD districts and 1,28,89,071 children aged 6 to 19 years.
A mop-up round will be conducted August 17 to provide the deworming dose to those who miss the medication August 10. Alongside the deworming campaign, the state will also undertake the biannual Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) programme during August, covering around 32 lakh children aged 9 to 60 months to strengthen immunity and reduce child mortality and morbidity. Additional Director, Child Health, Aditya Mohapatra, said,
“The National Deworming Day was a crucial public health initiative aimed at preventing intestinal worm infections among children and enabling them to grow healthier and achieve their full potential.” Regular deworming improves the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients, resulting in better nutrition, enhanced learning outcomes and reduced anaemia among children and adolescents.
The programme also contributes to improving the health and well-being of women and young girls, helping build a healthier future for communities. Emphasising the integrated approach of the campaign, UNICEF Odisha Nutrition Specialist Sourav Bhattacharjee said combining deworming with Vitamin A supplementation ensures that children receive essential health and nutrition services during a single visit.
The large-scale initiative, coordinated by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, will be implemented through government, government-aided and private schools as well as Anganwadi centres. Teachers, Anganwadi Workers and ASHAs will actively participate in administering the medicines, while UNICEF will provide support for the campaign.