AGARTALA, Feb 10 (TIWN): Along with the nation the State also observed the National De-worming Day on Wednesday at Muktadhara.

The programme has been inaugurated by Chief Secretary Yashpal Singh in the presence of District Magistrate Milindh Ramteke and others.

The day is observed to combat parasitic worm infections among people mostly preschool (anganwadi) and school-age children. 

Aiming to save the children from worm infection, the National De-worming Day is being observed in 11 states. Under this project, around 8.98 crores of children from 1 – 19 year of age were provided with albendazole tablets.

As a part of the observation of National De-worming Day of 2016, a media workshop has been organized on February 8 at Agartala Press Club.

It has been mentioned that the initiative has been taken by National Health Mission and Department of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Agartala Press Club.

It is to be mentioned here that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India has scheduled to implement the National De-worming day in all the schools and anganwadi all across the India on February 10.

According to the reports, to combat parasitic worm infections among anganwadi and school-age children, albendezole 400mg chewable tablets will be administered to children at Government, Government-aided and private schools and anganwadis.

The National Deworming Day will be followed by a mop-up day on February 15, 2016 to administer the deworming tablet to children who were absent from the school or anganwadi on February 10.

National Deworming Day is a groundbreaking initiative focused on reducing the threat of parasitic worm infections, a widespread health issue affecting over 241 million children in India alone.

India has the highest burden of soil-transmitted helminths or parasitic worms in the world. Parasitic worms in children interfere with nutrient uptake, and can contribute to anemia, malnourishment, and impaired mental and physical development.

However, it has been mentioned that on February 10 and February 15 all the Government and Non-Governmental schools, Non-Governmental Madrassa schools and Anganwadi centres will be provided albendezole.