State

National Deworming Day to be observed on August 10 in the state

News On Time Desk 04 August 2023

National Deworming Day will be observed in the state on August 10, with a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program planned in seven districts. The districts of Durg, Balod, Bemetara, Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Mungeli, and Mahasamund will carry out the program from August 10 to August 17, focusing on filaria control.

On August 10, as part of National Deworming Day, all children and teenagers aged 1 to 19 in the state will be administered the deworming medication. Those who missed the medication on August 10 will have another opportunity on the mop-up day scheduled for August 17. Deworming medicine will be administered at various locations, including Anganwadis, government schools, healthcare centres, aided private schools, and technical education institutions. Children aged one to two years will be given half a tablet of Albendazole, while those above two years will receive a tablet of Albendazole.

Anthelmintic drugs are vital for children and adolescents, as they promote good health, enhance nutrition, foster intellectual development, ensure regular school attendance, and improve the overall quality of life. The Health Department aims to promote good health, nutrition, and education among children and adolescents through deworming. As part of the Filaria Control Program, the department has set a target to administer mass drug administration (MDA) to over 67 lakh individuals in seven districts from August 10 to August 17. With the exception of pregnant women and severely ill individuals, all individuals above the age of one in these districts will be administered a combination of D.E.C. and Albendazole.