DIMAPUR — Office of the chief medical officer (CMO) of Kohima under the aegis of National Health Mission (NHM) observed the National De-worming Day (NDD) at TM Government Higher Secondary School in Kohima on Friday.
Speaking at the programme, Dr. Khrievilhou Nakhro, DPO (RMNCAH+N), stated that children suffer from several harmful health issues because of worm infection such as anemia, nutritional impairment, loss of appetite, weakness and anxiety, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and blood in stool.
He informed that de-worming tablets are be given free-of-cost to schools and Anganwadi centres targeting children of 1-19 years of age. He added that children should be de-wormed even though some children do not fall sick, stated an update from the CMO.
According to Dr. Nakhro, the direct benefits of de-worming included control of anemia and improve nutritional uptake, while the indirect benefits included improve immunity, concentration and capacity to learn, improve work potential etc.
The medical officer of RBSK, Dr. Nikdirenla Lusang, also demonstrated six steps of hand washing.
In a related programme, the District Health Society of Longleng observed the National De-Worming Day (second phase) at Government Middle School, Longleng block.
In a short programme during the school assembly, Dr. Angphen O Phom, medical officer of RBSK, briefly highlighted the importance of de-worming especially for children within the age group of 1 to 19 years. She also stated that de-worming improves the child's immunity and protects one from chronic illness caused by worms, improves concentration and making them more productive in school.
Dr. Angphen also administered the first Albendazole tablet to a student.
The team was led by Dr. Angphen O Phom; Taula, coordinator of RBSK; Owyan, ANM of RBSK; and Angshom Chemdok, district media officer.
Report stated that the National De-worming Day was observed in all the respective health units in Longleng district. It added that de-worming tablets were distributed in to both the government and private schools.
Meanwhile, the District Health Society of Mon observed the National De-worming Day at Government Primary School (GPS), Mon town-B, on the theme “Worm-free children, healthy children.”
Speaking at the programme, Dr. Tsemtseh Konyak, medical officer of RBSK, discussed in details on how worms are formed, their causes, symptoms, how to prevent them, and the effects of medications and dosages. He also administered the de-worming tablets to five students.
The 2nd round of National De-worming Day was also observed across Tuensang district on Frifay.
In Tuensang district headquarters, the programme was held at Government Middle School, Station-II in Tuensang town, where ANM of RBSK, Yimsutola spoke on the importance of de-worming and encouraged the students to practice personal hygiene and take albendazole tablets for prevention of intestine worms.
A total of 198 students were provided with Albendazole tablets.