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DIMAPUR — Dimapur and Wokha districts launched the second round of National Deworming Day (NDD) on Thursday. NDD is held twice a year in the country focusing on children through schools and Anganwadi centres.
It is a public health initiative in India aimed at combating the problem of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). The main aim of the day was to reach out to as many children as possible with a single dose of albendazole. The mass deworming of children from the age group of 1-19 years is planned on a fixed-day strategy to reduce the harm of Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH).
In Dimapur, the second round of National Deworming Day was observed at GMS Model Village in 5th Mile, Dimapur. The programme was organised under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), Dimapur.
Dr. Kadila, medical officer in-charge of RBSK, has sensitised the school children on the benefits of de-worming twice a year. She informed them of the harmful effects of STH as well.
After a brief awareness talk, the school health team of Dimapur also conducted disease screening and medical checkups for the children.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]It informed that the mop-up round to cover missed-out children would be held on August 17.
The second round of National Deworming Day in Wokha district was launched at Government Primary School (GPS) Chukitong.
During the launch programme, Dr. Lirenthung Khuvung, medical officer of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK), Wokha mentioned that NDD is to make every child between the age group of 1 to 19 years worm free in the country. He added that worm infection in children could lead to anaemia, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Dr. Khuvung informed that worm infection could be controlled by maintaining personal hygiene and keeping the surroundings clean. He also emphasised following proper hand-washing methods, washing fruits and vegetables before consumption and discouraging the practice of open defecation.
He further informed that healthcare workers and Anganwadi workers would be distributing deworming tablets at various health units, schools and Anganwadi centres across the district.
The RBSK team also conducted medical screening and administered tetanus injections to students of GPS Chukitong.
The National Deworming Day (NDD) in Longleng district was held at Holy Cross School in Yongnyah village.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Banglau Phom, medical officer of CHC Yongnyah, highlighted the significance of the de-worming program and the ill effects of intestinal worm infestations causing malnutrition and anaemia which severely affect the physical and mental health of the growing children.
He also gave an awareness talk on hygienic practices to reduce the spread of diseases and also demonstrated hand washing to the students.
Albendazole tablet was administered orally to each student present and a few tablets were handed to the school headmaster for mop-up day.
The medical team was accompanied by one ANM, two ASHA along with the medical officer.