Lucknow, 02 February: The National Deworming Day (NDD) will be organised in the state on February 10 under the National Adolescent Health Programme (NAHP). On this occasion, children will be given Albendazole medicine to protect them from stomach worms. Those children who miss out on the medicine on this day will be given the medicine under the mop-up round on february 13, Dr Satish Kumar Gautam, General Manager of the National Adolescent Health Programme apprised in a press release issued on Monday.
He informed that the target has been set to provide deworming medicine to 9.8 crore children in the age group of 1 to 19 years in the state. This campaign is conducted twice a year β in February and August β with the aim of freeing children from worm infection. For the effective implementation of the campaign, coordination has been established between the Health, ICDS, and Education departments to ensure access to the medication for all targeted children.
Dr Gautam stated that the Universal Drug Administration (IDA) campaign will be conducted in 64 selected blocks/urban areas/planning units across 21 districts under the National Filariasis Elimination Program. Deworming Day will not be held in these areas, as albendazole will already be administered under the IDA campaign.
The medication will also be administered in schools and Anganwadi centers. Albendazole will be administered through government, government-aided, and private schools, as well as Anganwadi centers. Children who do not attend school will be administered the medication through Anganwadi centers. Teachers and health workers will ensure children take the medication in their presence, ensuring no child is administered the medication on an empty stomach.