TN health dept to deworm over 2 crore kids, 54 lakh women

CHENNAI: The National Deworming Day awareness programme is being observed by the State Health Department until August 30. The programme is celebrated in two phases – February and August.

Health Minister Ma Subramanian inaugurated the programme and said that it aimed at deworming children and adolescents aged 1-19 years and women aged 20-30 years.

The theme of this year’s programme is ‘Eliminate STH: Invest in a healthier future for children’. According to WHO, 24% of the world’s population is affected by intestinal worms, which are parasites that live in the human gut and feed on blood and nutrients, leading to anaemia, malnutrition, and stunted growth.

“The programme is being implemented in all primary health centres, sub-centres, anganwadi centres, government and government-aided schools, private schools, and colleges. We want to deworm 2.15 crore children and 54.67 lakh women,” the minister added. “The programme is being implemented by 54,400 anganwadi workers, 61,500 school teachers and college professors, 12,000 health workers, and 2,650 ASHA workers.”

The deworming tablet, Albendazole, eliminates intestinal worms and prevents anaemia, improves immunity and resistance to other infections, cognitive function, learning ability, physical growth and weight gain. Officials of the State Health Department are also sensitising parents regarding the programme.

“Parents are requested to ensure their children take the deworming tablet and cooperate with the programme to make it successful,” he stated.