National Deworming Day on February 10 in the District, Targeting 20.66 Million Children

Hardoi (RNI) The district will observe National Deworming Day (NDD) on February 10. Under this campaign, 20.66 lakh children aged 1 to 19 years will be administered Albendazole to eliminate intestinal worms. Preparations for the program were discussed in an inter-departmental coordination meeting held on Monday at the Swami Vivekananda Auditorium, Collectorate Hardoi, chaired by the District Magistrate.

During the meeting, the District Magistrate emphasized that no child should miss the deworming tablet on the campaign day. To ensure this, 100% attendance of children will be targeted at schools and Anganwadi centers. Children unable to take the tablet due to illness or absence will be covered in a mop-up round on February 13.

The meeting was attended by Chief Development Officer Sanya Chhabra, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bhavanath Pandey, district-level officers from various departments associated with the program, and medical officers in charge of all blocks.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bhavanath Pandey stated that Albendazole is administered twice a year in February and August. This year, children in the urban areas of the district and 17 blocks will receive the tablets through 4,960 government, government-aided, and private schools, as well as 3,542 Anganwadi centers. Additionally, Albendazole will be provided in Kachna and Sursa blocks under the National Filaria Elimination Program.

He highlighted that worm infections are a major cause of anemia in children, affecting their physical growth and ability to concentrate on studies. Health workers will educate parents about the benefits of deworming tablets.

Dr. R.K. Singh, nodal officer of the National Adolescent Health Program (RKSK), mentioned that children aged 1–2 years will receive half a tablet, while those aged 2–19 years will receive a full tablet. Tablets will be crushed or chewed and administered under the supervision of health workers.

Some children may experience mild side effects such as vomiting, nausea, dizziness, or stomach pain, which occur due to the worms dying and disappear naturally after a short time. To handle such cases, Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been set up at the district and block levels.

Children who miss the tablet on February 10 will be covered in the mop-up round on February 13.